Gladiators end Westside winning streak, Takashinga go top

Westside 234/9 in 45 overs (Tariro Makauyo 53, Tinashe Chiorah 38; Malcolm Chikuhwa 3-16, Munashe Zata 3-41, Masimba Marovatsanga 2-50)

Gladaitors 238/3 in 29.4 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 143*, Panashe Taruvinga 57*; Mashford Shungu 3-69)

Gladiators Cricket Club won by 7 wickets

A 216-run partnership between captain Ashley Mufandauya and Panashe Taruvinga handed Gladiators an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Westside in a 2024 National Premier League (NPL) match at Mutare Sports Club.

Mufadauya was particularly devastating, cracking an unbeaten 143 in just 70 balls, including 19 fours and seven sixes.

Taruvinga made 57 not out.

The aggressive play got Gladiators to their target in just 29.4 overs.
The win seemed unlikely when they were reduced to 22 for three, with Mashford Shungu getting all the wickets.

But the youthful Chitungwiza side shook that off to end Westside’s unbeaten streak, which had reached seven.

Strikers 157 in 34.2 overs (Thelson 42, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 33; Ryan Simbi 4-25, Daichi Nyandoro 3-31)

Takashinga 2 158/3 in 27.5 overs (Tinashe Chimbambo 84*, Tino Chiwara 23, Daichi Nyandoro 20; Panashe Gwatiringa 2-34, Thelson Madziwana 1-10)

Takashinga 2 won by 7 wickets

Takashinga 2 have gone top after beating Strikers by seven wickets in Highfield.

Zimbabwe under-19 cricket world cup youngster Ryan Simbi claimed four wickets, while skipper Daichi Nyandoro took three of his own in limiting Strikers to 157 in 34.2 overs.

He was particularly effective in getting rid of middle and lower order.

Opener Tinashe Chimbambo made a 77-ball 84 in the chase. Ten of those were fours as Takashinga 2 chased down the total quickly.

SOGO Rangers 229 in 44.1 overs (Matthew Welch 52, Matthew Campbell 34, Tanatswa Marumani 34; Francis Sande 3-21, Daniel Jackiel 3-42)

Rainbow 232/6 in 45 overs (Lavert Masunda 66, Francis Sande 41*; Alex Falao 2-35 Matthew Campbell 1-39, Benjamin Banks 1-40)

Rainbow Cricket Club won by 4 wickets

Francis Sande smashed Ryan Burl for a four and a six off the last two balls for Rainbow to claim a seemingly unlikely four-wicket victory over SOGO Rangers at Old Hararians Sports Club.

Burl had bowled a brilliant over, conceding three runs off the first four balls.

Sande then lofted him to cow corner, and then, with the final ball cracked over wide long-off to send Rainbow celebrating.

Sande finished unbeaten on 41 and shared a partnership of 51 with Daniel Jackiel who made 22 to take them home.

Rainbow continued their dominance against a side they beat twice in the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association Vigne Cup earlier this year.

Bulawayo Athletic Club 219/9 in 45 overs (Kudzai Banda 56, Palvin Ndlovu 36, Sean Phiri 34; Victor Chirwa 4-18, Takudzwanaishe Kaitano 2-22)

Rimuka 221/3 in 31.3 overs (Tashinga Musekiwa 91*, Nyasha Mayavo 58*; Isaiah Msarerevhu 2-65, Brandon James 1-16)

Rimuka Cricket Club won by 7 wickets

Rimuka picked up their fourth win in a row, beating Bulawayo Athletic (BAC) at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Tashinga Musekiwa continued with his rich vein of form, scoring an unbeaten 91 off 61 balls, including six fours and seven sixes.

He and Nyasha Mayavo combined for 135 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side home. Mayavo made 58.

Captain Takudzwanaishe Kaitano did not make a big score for a change, scoring 27.

Earlier, Victor Chirwa took four wickets, limiting BAC to 219 for nine.

Kudzai Banda top-scored with a-run-a-ball 58, with Palvin Ndlovu making 36.

Mbizo Cricket Club 307/7 in 45 overs (Isaac Danladi 89, Muhammad Anas Aqil 48; Isaac Randazha 3-46, Shane Chigumbura 2-48)

Knights 108 in 33.1 overs (Calvin Mabvute 30; Jabulisa Tshuma 3-27, Manson Chikowero 2-7, Chiemelie Udekwe 2-21, Ahsan Aqil Ali 2-28)

Mbizo Cricket Club won by 199 runs

On Saturday, Nigerian import Isaac Danladi top-scored for Mbizo with 89, in beating the winless Knights by 199 runs at Kwekwe Sports Club.

He got his total in 60 balls, including 11 fours and a six.

Muhammad Anas Aqil scored 48.

The total of 307 for seven is a tournament high for Mbizo. The win is their largest margin by runs.

For the Knights, it was another crushing defeat, and they never showed any intention of getting to the total.

Opener Calvin Mabvute top-scored with 30, but only two other layers, Shane Chigumbura and Dereck Sadoki, made it to double figures.

Amakhosi 224/8 in 45 overs (Raymond Kasimo 63*, Thamsanqa Nunu 41; Nkosilathi Nungu 3-38, Gabriel Jaya 2-20, Praise Makaza 2-33)

Scorpions 165 in 38.5 overs (Nelson Chimbirimbiri 46, George Mukoki 21; Prince Kaunda 5-38, Ernest Masuku 2-22, Arnold Shara 2-28)

Amakhosi Cricket Club won by 59 runs

Prince Kaunda took five wickets in Amakhosi’s 59-run win over Scorpions at Masvingo Sports Club.

He took wickets at the top, the middle and the end.

Kaunda was ably deputised by Ernest Masuku and Arnold Shara took two each.

Earlier, Raymond Kasimo made an unbeaten 63 off 74 balls, including five fours and one six.

Scorpions have now lost their last eight games in a row. Their only win was against fellow Masvingo strugglers Knights on matchday one.

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