Gladiators move to the top of the NPL standings

NATIONAL Cricket Premier League (NPL) defending champions, Gladiators Cricket Club have continued with their impressive title defence as they have leapfrogged Uprising Cricket Club and Takashinga Patriots 1 to the top of the league standings.

Gladiators recorded a thumping seven wickets victory over Mbizo Cricket Club yesterday at Kwekwe Sports Club to move to 70 points and maintain their unbeaten run after seven matches.

Only net-run rate separates them and second placed Uprising.

In yesterday’s game, the defending champions put up a dominant display with the ball after they were sent in to bowl first. They bowled out their opponents, for just 72 runs in 18,2 overs before going on to chase down the target in 12,1 overs, finishing on 73/3.

Malcom Chikuhwa put up a brilliant spell with the ball for Gladiators, taking a five-wicket haul in his eight overs. He finished with figures of 5/22 as he led the defending champions’ bowling charts. Milton Shumba and Phrase Mukabeta took two scalps each, conceding nine and 25 runs respectively.

Only three batters from Mbizo managed to cross double figures with their top scorer being Ronald Masocha with 22 runs from 32 balls while opener, Mkululi Nyathi fell for 15 runs off 14 deliveries. Nyathi’s opening partner Walter Matawu chipped in with 12 runs after facing 13 balls.

Chasing a below par score, Lennox Chando top scored for Gladiators with 30 runs from 33 balls while Shumba remained undefeated on 21 runs off 20 deliveries to guide their side to a comfortable victory. Jabulisa Tshuma and Manson Chikowero took two and one wicket respectively for Mbizo who are yet to taste victory so far this season.

In the other match played yesterday, Takashinga Patriots 2 registered an eight wickets win over Golden Bulls Cricket Club.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, Takashinga bowled out their opponents for 125 runs in 35,5 overs before going on to chase it down in 23,1 overs, finishing on 129/2. Yesterday’s win took Takashinga Patriots to 56 points, four behind third placed Takashinga Patriots 1 who have 60 points.

NPL week eight fixtures:

Saturday: Takashinga 1 vs Uprising Cricket Club (Takashinga Cricket Club), Bulawayo Athletic Club vs Rainbow Cricket Club (Kwekwe Sports Club)

Sunday: Amakhosi Cricket Club vs Mbizo Cricket Club (BAC), Gladiators Cricket Club vs Queens Cricket Club (Kwekwe Cricket Club), Takashinga 2 vs Kadoma Cricket Club (Takashinga Cricket Club), Golden Bulls vs Westside Cricket Club (Masvingo Sports Club), Scorpions Cricket Club vs Mutare Sports Club (Mutare Sports Club). – @brandon_malvin