Amakhosi thump BAC in city cricket derby

AMAKHOSI Cricket Club were at their best when they made light work of Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) in National Premier League (NPL) Bulawayo derby encounter played at the latter’s home ground yesterday.

Amakhosi registered a thumping eight wickets win over BAC to open a 10-point gap.

Yesterday’s victory took Amakhosi to 30 points from seven matches, having won three and lost four.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Amakhosi fast bowlers put up a brilliant performance with the ball to bowl out BAC for just 69 runs in 23,4 overs before going on to chase down the target in 17,1 overs, finishing on 73/2.

It was Arnold Shara who finished with Amakhosi’s best bowling figures on the day.

Shara claimed three wickets for just 12 runs in his five-over spell while another budding talent, Tawanda Maposa took three scalps, conceding 27 runs in 5,4 overs.

Amakhosi skipper Ernest Masuku was not to miss out on the action, finishing with impressive figures of 2/4 in three overs.

Thabo Mboyi rounded up the rout, taking one wicket for 25 runs in nine overs.

As BAC put up their worst batting display so far this season, only one batter managed to cross double figures. Palvin Ndlovu, batting down at number eight, top scored for BAC with 21 runs from 30 balls. Saxon Pettican was their second leading run scorer with just nine runs.

A total of four BAC batters did not trouble the Amakhosi bowlers, as they fell for ducks.

In their chase, it turned out to be an easy and comfortable one for Amakhosi with Farai Gunda remaining undefeated on 27 runs from 51 deliveries.

Bright Phiri fell for 20 runs off 41 deliveries while Simbarashe Haukozi remained undefeated on 13 runs from nine balls.

The two Amakhosi wickets that fell were taken by Charlton Tshuma (1/16) and Thamsanqa Nunu (1/9).

Yesterday’s victory put Amakhosi on the right track for their top eight hopes having gotten off their campaign to a poor start. They have now won three consecutive matches having lost their four opening games.

This was BAC’s fifth defeat in seven outings.

It was another tough outing for Queens Cricket Club who suffered a six wickets defeat at the hands of Takashinga Patriots 1 at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Batting first, Queens Cricket Club were restricted to 149/6 in 45 overs and their opponents chased it down in 21,5 overs, finishing on 151/4. Ian Fuzane top scored for Queens with 36 runs from 81 balls while Tanatswa Bechani remained undefeated with 32 runs from 37 deliveries. Tapiwa Mufudza finished with figures of 2/15 in nine overs for Takashinga.

In the match’s second innings, Vusi Kasipini took two wickets for 26 runs in his four over spell for Queens as Innocent Kaia put up a solid batting performance to help Takashinga Patriots 1 keep up the pressure at the top of the standings. Kaia top scored with an unbeaten 80 runs from 64 deliveries.

Brandon Mavuta was out of action for Kadoma Cricket Club as they suffered a four wickets loss against Rainbow Cricket Club. Batting first, Kadoma Cricket Club were bowled out for 152 runs in 36,5 overs before their opponents chased it down in 23,2 overs, to finish on 154/6.

The NPL continues today with two matches lined up. Golden Bulls will face Takashinga Patriots 2 at Masvingo Sports Club while Gladiators will be up against Mbizo Cricket Club at Kwekwe Sports Club. – @brandon_malvin