Online Reporter
The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the NPL T20 Blast after a dramatic final weekend of round-robin fixtures confirmed the top four teams to contest the 2025/26 title.
Rimuka capped off an impressive campaign with a statement 24-run victory over Gladiators in Kadoma on Sunday, a result that saw them leapfrog their rivals to the summit of the table on net run rate.
Both teams finished level on 10 points, with identical records of five wins and two defeats from their seven league matches, but Rimuka’s superior run rate ensured they claimed top spot heading into the playoffs.
The two sides will now meet again in Qualifier 1, with a direct place in the grand final on the line, while Takashinga Patriots 1 and Amakhosi 1, who finished third and fourth respectively, will square off in the Eliminator after their Saturday showdown in Masvingo went Amakhosi’s way by six wickets.
The losers of Qualifier 1 will get another chance in Qualifier 2, where they will face the Eliminator winners for the remaining final berth.
Rimuka stunned Gladiators by 24 runs at Kadoma Sports Club on Sunday to seize top spot on the points table.
Rimuka’s innings got off to a shaky start, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano contributing 32 before the side slumped to 90 for seven.
But a late flurry from Davis Murwendo (48) and Ollard Dzinokuvara (20) helped push the total to a competitive 157 for nine.
Gladiators were reduced to 21 for three as Rimuka struck early, but a fourth-wicket partnership of 99 between Milton Shumba and Panashe Taruvinga steadied the chase.
However, their slow scoring rate left Gladiators behind the required run rate. Taruvinga’s dismissal for 43, with 38 runs needed from 11 balls, effectively ended the contest, and Gladiators could only reach 133, despite Shumba’s resilient 55 off 56 balls.
Victor Chirwa finished with three wickets for 18 runs in four overs.
Alexandra Sports Club secured a 38-run win over Queens Sports Club at Masvingo Sports Club on Sunday, despite a valiant 56 not out from Nkosana Mpofu.
Alexandra batted first, posting 154 for six thanks to consistent contributions from Faraz Akram, who made 49 off 27 balls, and Hamza Shamas with 42.
Sheunopa Musekwa claimed five of the six top-order wickets, finishing with five for 42 in four overs.
Queens’ innings proved largely one-sided, with Mpofu the only batter able to mount significant resistance.
Mohammad Anas Aqil’s figures of three for 18 highlighted the effective bowling that restricted Queens to a total well short of the target.
Brief Scores:
Rimuka – 157-9 in 20 overs (Davis Murwendo 48, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 32, Nyasha Mayavo 23; Owen Muzondo 3/25, Munashe Zata 3/32, Tanatswa Chisvo 2/13)
Gladiators – 133-6 in 20 overs (Milton Shumba 55*, Panashe Taruvinga 43, Lennox Chando 14; Victor Chirwa 3/18, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 2/6, Ollard Dzinokuvara 1/19)
Result: Rimuka won by 24 runs
**********
Takashinga Patriots 1 – 138-9 in 20 overs (Samuel Muyambo 31, Ronak Patel 27, Alex Falao 17; Tawanda Maposa 3/30, Prince Kaunda 2/12, Ainsley Ndlovu 2/25)
Amakhosi 1 – 142-4 in 15.3 overs (Brian Chari 32, Bright Phiri 26, Thamsanqa Nunu 26*; Munashe Chipara 2/21, Christopher Masike 1/24, Tapiwa Mufudza 1/29)
Result: Amakhosi 1 won by six wickets
**********
Alexandra Sports Club – 154-6 in 20 overs (Faraz Akram 49, Hamza Shamas 42, Muhammad Anas Aqil 21; Sheunopa Musekwa 5/42, Tanatswa Bechani 1/32)
Queens Sports Club – 116-9 in 20 overs (Nkosana Mpofu 56*, Petros Sithole 13, Sheunopa Musekwa 11; Muhammad Anas Aqil 3/18, Nazim Patel 2/34, Tinashe Muchawaya 1/9)
Result: Alexandra Sports Club won by 38 runs – ZimCricket.
