adminELTON Chigumbura, with the bat, and Marshall Takodza, with the ball, were the leading players for Lions as they recorded a 40-run victory over Gladiators in the first match of the Zim Cyber-City Domestic T10, powered by AVR PAY, at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Lions were put in to bat by Gladiators, and responded well with a score of 120 for five wickets in their 10 overs.
It was good to see Chigumbura in action again, and he opened the batting to give his team a fine start by making their top score of 30 off 18 balls, with a six and three fours.
Consistent batting was the backbone of the Lions innings, with their first five batters all reaching double figures.
Clive Madande scored 24 off 15 balls, while the biggest hitting came from Tashinga Musekiwa, 26 off only eight balls, including three sixes in an over off Malcom Chikuhwa.
Christopher Masike followed him to the crease with 20 not out off eight balls, including two sixes, taking the score to 120 when the innings closed.
Owen Muzondo, with two for 22 off his two overs, was the most successful bowler.
Gladiators had a difficult target, but they were given a good start by Naison Mare (14) and Lennox Chando (17), who opened with a partnership of 25 off 2.4 overs.
However, Wessly Madhevere, in next, was dismissed for a single, as Takodza in his two overs took three vital wickets and then achieved a run-out. Owen Muzondo (15) and Phrase Mukabeta (18 not out) hit out as best they could, but the innings faded away for 80, with seven wickets down.
Scores
Lions – 120-5 in 10 overs (Elton Chigumbura 30, Tashinga Musekiwa 26, Clive Madande 24; Owen Muzondo 2/22, Tatenda Matimbe 1/6, Mssimba Marovatsanga 1/23)
Gladiators – 80-7 in 10 overs (Phrase Mukabeta 18*, Lennox Chando 17, Owen Muzondo 15; Marshall Takodza 3/7, Trevor Gwandu 1/9, Nkosilathi Nungu 1/22)
Lions won by 40 runs
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Takashinga Patriots 1 – 78-5 in 10 overs (Shingi Masakadza 37, Joylord Gumbie 13*, Innocent Kaia 11; Alex Falao 1/12, Sikandar Raza 1/12, Faraz Akram 1/14)
Harare Kings – 79-5 in 9 overs (Johnathan Campbell 21*, Sikandar Raza 21, Cephas Zhuwao 13; Tapiwa Mufudza 2/11, Cuthbert Musoko 1/3, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 1/17)
Harare Kings won by five wickets
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Great Zimbabwe Patriots – 119-6 in 10 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 39, Richmond Mutumbami 28, Tony Munyonga 14; Munashe Chipara 3/23, Trevor Mutsamba 2/12, Daichi Nyandoro 1/23)
Takashinga Patriots 2 – 63-8 in 10 overs (Trevor Mutsamba 20*, Brian Majoka 17*, Nigel Mupurura 10; Sydney Murombo 5/6, Daniel Jakiel 1/9, Luke Jongwe 1/14)
Great Zimbabwe Patriots won by 56 runs – zimcricket
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter