BAC wins last ball thriller in NPL

BULAWAYO Athletic Club (BAC) held on to their nerves to register their third victory in the 2024 National Premier League (NPL) following their three wickets win on the last ball of the match against Mbizo Cricket Club at BAC on Wednesday afternoon.

BAC, playing at their home ground in the city, needed 15 runs to win off the final over of the match, from Mbizo’s Isaac Okpe. Player of the match, Pascal Murungi managed to get eight runs off the first four deliveries, but then triumphantly hit a six and a four off the last two to take his team to victory.

Murungi scored a brilliant unbeaten half century, finishing his innings just five runs short of what would have been a fine ton.

The visitors, Mbizo had won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 292/9 in their 45 overs. BAC would go on to finish their chase on 296/7 to make it a memorable outing for the Bulawayo side who now have 30 points from three victories.

In the match’s first innings, Kudzai Kennedy Banda led the wicket-taking charts with a brilliant spell that saw him finish with figures of 4/57 in eight overs. Charlton Tshuma would provide the necessary support from the other end, with yet another good performance.

The fast bowler finished with figures of 3/22 in nine overs including two maidens while their skipper, Samuel Muyambo took the other wicket that fell.

Mbizo’s Isaac Danladi fell just eight runs short of his century on a well batted 92 runs from 60 balls. Skipper Chiemelie Udekwe fell soon after reaching his half century, as he was trapped in front by Banda for 50 runs having faced 28 balls.

It was half centuries from Murungi and Calvin Watuwa that helped BAC cross the line. For his unbeaten 95 runs, Murungi faced 83 balls while Watuwa was run out on 65 runs from 49 deliveries. Banda and Tshuma would also go on to have good contributions with the bat, scoring 36 and 35 runs respectively.

Ronald Masocha, and Jabulisa Tshuma took two wickets apiece for Mbizo, conceding 40 and 55 runs respectively. Ahsan Aqil Ali, and Okpe took one scalp apiece for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi were handed their eighth defeat of the season when they suffered a seven wicket defeat at the hands of Takashinga Patriots 1. Batting first, Amakhosi were restricted to a paltry 182/5 in 45 overs before their opponents went on to chase it down in 26,1 overs, finishing on 183/3.

Adrian Mupembe and Raymond Kasimo scored fifties for the Bulawayo based Amakhosi side. Mupembe scored 50 off 87 while Kasimo remained undefeated on 60 runs from 66 balls. Munashe Chipara took three wickets for 27 runs in seven overs for the eventual winners, Takashinga 1.

Arnold Shara, Nkosibongwe Gogodo and skipper Cedric Dube took the only three wickets that fell in Takashings 1’s chase. Innocent Kaia top scored for Takashinga 1 with 59 runs off 57 balls while Timycen Maruma remained undefeated on 52 runs off 38 deliveries.—@brandon_malvin