Benchani stars as Queens demolish Takashinga

Brandon Moyo

TANATSWA Bechani produced the second-best bowling spell in the 2024 National Cricket Premier League (NPL) as he helped Queens Cricket Club brush aside defending champions,Takashinga Patriots 1, at Kwekwe Sports Club on Monday.

The Queens skipper, Bechani produced a brilliant performance that saw his side make light work of their opponents, bowling them out for a paltry 71 runs in 24, 4 overs in their chase of a 222 run target. Bechani claimed seven wickets.

The Bulawayo side was put in to bat first and they were restricted to 221/7 in their 45 overs before Bechani’s heroics. His innings are now the second best after Nkosilathi Nungu’s 8/51. Bechani is now the joint second leading wicket taker with 23 scalps to his name at an average of 12, 52 and an economy of 3, 74. The leading wicket taker is Malcom Chikuhwa with 25.

In their match on Monday, teenager Rowyn Konson led from the front with the bat for Queens, scoring 55 runs off 75 deliveries while Ian Fuzane fell nine short of his half century on 41 runs from 66 deliveries. Chris Mpofu also had a good contribution with the bat, scoring 39 runs off 55 balls with the skipper, Bechani making 37 runs from 47 balls.

Priviledge Chesa took three wickets for 33 runs in nine overs for Takashinga. Mpofu was the first to get the breakthrough for Queens in the match’s second innings, trapping Tinashe Kamunhukamwe in front for a golden duck with the first ball.

Bechani would go on to show some wizardry, claiming the wickets of Timycen Maruma (eight off 28), Cunningham Ncube (one off three), Hamilton Masakadza (three of 15), Muhammad Zaheer Tufail (six off 16), Chesa (seven off 14), Nigel Mupurura (three off five) and Munashe Chipara (golden duck).

With Bechani finishing with figures of 7/11 in 7, 4 overs and Mpofu taking the one wicket, Sheunopa Musekwa and Vusi Kasipini took the other two scalps that fell. Innocent Kaia top scored for Takashinga with 31 runs off 46 balls and was their only batter that managed to cross double figures.

Queens have now moved to 50 points on the log standings, sitting in position seven and in contention for a top eight finish with the league drawing towards its conclusion. It was their fifth victory in nine matches.

On Sunday, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) were also in action and suffered a seven wickets defeat at the hands of Rimuka Cricket Club. Batting first, BAC were restricted to 219/9 in 45 overs and their opponents chased it down in 31,3 overs, finishing on 221/3. It was BAC’s seventh defeat in nine matches.

Amakhosi registered their third victory when they secured a 59 runs win over Scorpions Cricket Club. Amakhosi scored 224/8 in their 45 overs and they managed to defend it, bowling out Scorpions for 165 runs in 38,5 overs.