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A BRILLIANT century from Tafadzwa Mahachi was the main factor in Scorpions’ two-wicket victory over Knights in their National Premier League match at Masvingo Sports Club on Sunday.
Knights, batting first, did well to reach 258 for seven wickets in their 45 overs, their first highlight being a second-wicket partnership of 103 between Calvin Mabvute (50) and Winfred Matende (75).
However, once they were separated Tafara Chingwara sliced through the middle order, taking five wickets for 35 runs, and from 132 for one Knights slumped to 162 for seven.
There followed a remarkable innings from Lastie Chinyengetere, who came in at number nine and hit brilliantly, scoring 55 not out off only 31 balls, with four sixes and three fours, enabling Knights to reach 258 for seven wickets.
Scorpions were given a dynamic start by Mahachi and Blessed Muzite, who put on a great opening partnership that raised 187 runs in less than 21 overs.
Muzite scored 58 but Mahachi was first out, having made 106 runs off 70 balls, with four sixes and 14 fours.
They were both dismissed by Joe Khoma, who began a middle-order collapse, as wickets fell steadily, three of them at 257 with victory just two runs away.
To the Scorpions’ relief, Chingwara came in next to hit the first ball he received for four, and the match was won.
Brief Scorecards
Knights — 257-8 in 45 overs (Winfred Matende 75, Lastie Chinyengetere 55*, Calvin Mabvute 50; Tafara Chingwara 5/35, Kumbirayi Phiri 1/7, Nkosilathi Nungu 1/48)
Scorpions — 261-8 in 34.3 overs (Tafadzwa Mahachi 106, Blessed Muzite 58, Takunda Madembo 33; Joe Khoma 4/56, Tawananyasha Kasondo 2/38, Sydney Murombo 1/38)
Result: Scorpions won by two wicket
….
Queens Sports Club — 201-8 in 45 overs (Rowyn Konson 60, Petros Sithole 49, Chris Mpofu 43*; Takunda Manyama 4/39, Arineshto Vezha 2/25, Carlton Takawira 1/34)
Strikers — 192 all out in 44.3 overs (Panashe Gwatiringa 52, Takunda Manyama 25*, Timothy Mukondiwa 20; Petros Sithole 2/32, Tanatswa Bechani 2/33, Chris Mpofu 1/25)
Result: Queens Sports Club won by nine runs
….
Rainbow — 276-5 in 45 overs (Clive Imbayago 107, Nadim Patel 57, Ronak Patel 54; Carl Mumba 2/55, Luke Jongwe 1/56)
Rimuka — 235 all out in 44.3 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 85, Victor Chirwa 66, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 20; Victor Nyauchi 3/23, Daniel Jakiel 3/50, Ronak Patel 2/37)
Result: Rainbow won by 41 runs
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter