Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
A FIVE-wicket haul from Jeffrey Mhuriyengwe and half-centuries from Ashley Phiri and Nkosibongwe Gogodo propelled Amakhosi Cricket Club 1 to a 177-run victory over sister side Amakhosi 2 in the National Premier League (NPL) Super 40 season opener at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) on Sunday.
Batting first, Amakhosi 1 posted a competitive 287/7 from their 40 overs, with Phiri and Gogodo both scoring unbeaten half-centuries before Mhuriyengwe starred with the ball as they bowled out Amakhosi 2 for 110 in 27.2 overs.
Mhuriyengwe was adjudged Player of the Match.
Amakhosi 1 did not have the best of starts with the bat, losing opener Bright Phiri in the fourth over for five before Brandon Ndiweni followed for 21, leaving the side on 33/2.
It was the brilliant innings from Phiri and Gogodo that propelled Amakhosi 1 to a competitive total.
Phiri finished unbeaten on 80 from 92 deliveries, with his innings featuring six boundaries. Gogodo struck an unbeaten 62 off 33 balls, including six fours and four sixes.
Captain Tafara Mupariwa chipped in with a useful 27 off as many deliveries, while Luyanda Mtomba made 20 from 15 balls.
Lindokuhle Charambira and Prosper Zinge claimed two wickets apiece for Amakhosi 2, while Shelton Mumvuri, Taboka Manyalo and Blair Morrow picked up one wicket each.
Mhuriyengwe returned figures of 5/23 from 6.2 overs, including two maidens, in a match-winning spell for Amakhosi 1. He was well supported by Shaun Dzakatira, who claimed 4/26 from his eight-over spell.
Gogodo also chipped in with the ball, taking 1/27 from five overs as Amakhosi 1 completed a dominant victory.
George Dube top-scored for Amakhosi 2 with 30 off 45 deliveries, while Zinge contributed 26 from 29 balls.
Meanwhile, Queens Sports Club suffered a 95-run defeat to Takashinga Patriots 1 at Kwekwe Sports Club.
On Wednesday, Amakhosi 1 travel to Kwekwe Sports Club to face SOGO Rangers, while Queens Sports Club host Rimuka Cricket Club at BAC.
Amakhosi 2 will take on Takashinga 2 at Kwekwe Sports Club on Thursday.
In other matches on Wednesday, Eastern Titans will face Strikers Cricket Club at Mutare Sports Club, while Takashinga Patriots 1 will host Gladiators Cricket Club. Mbizo Cricket Club will take on Triangle Cricket Club at Masvingo Sports Club.
On Thursday, Old Hararians will face Scorpions Cricket Club at Old Hararians Sports Club.
