Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Writer
AMAKHOSI Cricket Club registered their first win of the 2023 National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast after a 12-run victory over Rainbow Cricket Club at Kwekwe Sports Club yesterday.
Amakhosi were winless in four outings before yesterday’s encounter. They now have two points while Rainbow remains on zero.
The Bulawayo giants won the toss and elected to bat first and were restricted to 137/8 before they went on to limit Rainbow to 125/4 in 20 overs to collect maximum points.
There was, however nothing to write home about from Amakhosi with the bat with their top scorer being Nkosana Mpofu with 29 runs from 27 deliveries while Thabo Mboyi, down the order, remained undefeated on 20 run from 14 balls.
Tawanda Mhora was Amakhosi’s third leading run scorer as he made 17 runs from 19 balls.
Victor Chirwa starred with the ball for Rainbow Cricket Club, finishing with figures of 3/20 in his four over spell while Patrick Nyamapfeni claimed two scalps for 28 runs in three overs.
In the match’s second innings, Amakhosi skipper Ernest Masuku had the best figures, with numbers of 2/29 in his four over spell as they struggled to take wickets but managed to restrict their opponents. Keith Ndlovu took one wicket to help Amakhosi win their first game. 98
Johnathan Campbell top scored for Rainbow with an unbeaten 48 runs from 43 balls. Nyasha Mayavo chipped in with 36 runs from 28 deliveries.
Amakhosi are sitting in position seven on the eight team standings while Rainbow are rock bottom with zero points.
In other matches played yesterday, Takashinga Patriots 2 registered a 33 runs win over Westside Cricket Club. Batting first, Takashinga Patriots scored 131/9 and went on to bowl out Westside to 98 runs in 17,3 overs.
In a high scoring encounter, Gladiators Cricket Club thumped Uprising Cricket Club by seven wickets.
Batting first, Uprising scored 193/6 in their 20 overs and Gladiators went on to chase down the target in 17,5 overs, finishing on 199/3.
The NPL T20 Blast comes after the completion of the 50-over version of the country’s premier club cricket completion.
Matches continue today with four lined up. Amakhosi will be up against Takashinga Patriots 2 at Kwekwe Sports Club while Westside Cricket Club faces Takashinga Patriots 1 at Takashinga Cricket Club.
At Old Hararians Sports Club, Mutare Sports Club will be up against Uprising Cricket Club and in the final match, Gladiators will host Rainbow Club. — Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin.
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