Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AMAKHOSI Cricket 1 were at their best as they made light work of Takashinga Patriots 1 to secure a comfortable six-wicket win to seal their spot in the play-off of the 2025 National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast.
The win at Masvingo Sports Club on Saturday took the Bulawayo side to eight points, enough to secure a top four finish alongside Gladiators Cricket Club, Takashinga 1 and Rimuka Cricket Club.
Amakhosi 1, who have been in top form in the NPL this year, won four of their seven T20 Blast matches, concluding the round-robin stage in spectacular fashion.
On Saturday, the Bulawayo side won the toss and elected to field first, restricting their opponents to 138/9 in 20 overs before going on to chase down the target in 15.3 overs, finishing on 142/4 to collect the much-needed maximum points.
Skipper of the day, Tawanda Maposa was the most successful bowler for Amakhosi, claiming three wickets for 30 runs in his four-over spell.
Prince Kaunda was unplayable with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/12 in his four-over spell as well.
Seasoned Ainsley Ndlovu also had a brilliant outing with ball in hand, claiming figures of 2/25 in four overs as well.
Shaun Dzakatira and Tinaye Mazonde were also among the wickets, both claiming one scalp apiece as the Bulawayo giants completed a dominant display with the ball.
Samuel Muyambo top scored for the Highfield-based Takashinga side, making 31 runs off 36 balls, while Ronak Patel chipped in with 27 runs off 22 deliveries. Alex Falao chipped in with a nine-ball 17 runs, with Christopher Masike making 15 runs from 14 balls. The opening partnership of Brian Chari and Bright Phiri set up the much-needed foundation for Amakhosi, enjoying a 52-run first-wicket stand which was broken in the sixth over. Chari fell for 32 runs off 18 deliveries and two overs later, Phiri departed for 26 runs from 21 balls.
At that stage, Amakhosi were on 68/2 in 7.1 overs and in the 12th over, Maposa fell for 20 runs off 14 balls, fol-lowed by Adrian Mupembe in the next over for a single run.
With Amakhosi on 104/4 in 12.2 overs, it was an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership between Thamsanqa Nunu and Ndlovu that saw the team through, comfortably. Nunu, who came in to bat at number three made 26 runs off 25 balls while Ndlovu scored 25 runs from just nine balls, a cameo that featured three sixes.
Munashe Chipara took two wickets for 21 runs in two overs for Takashinga 1. Tapiwa Mufudza and Masike took one scalp apiece.
The dates for the play-offs are yet to be confirmed.
