Queens secure NPL T20 Blast spot

QUEENS Sports Club sealed their spot in the National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast after securing a top-eight finish in the just-ended 2024 NPL campaign that concluded on Saturday.

The Christopher Mpofu-led Queens side trounced Knights Cricket Club by 232 runs in their last game of the tournament played at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) on Saturday to make them the only team from Bulawayo to secure a top-eight finish.

Saturday’s victory took Queens to 70 points and a seventh-place finish. They will join NPL back-to-back champions, Takashinga Patriots 1, Westside Cricket Club, Rangers Cricket Club, Takashinga Patriots 2, Rainbow Cricket Club, Gladiators Cricket Club and Mbizo Cricket Club in the T20 Blast.

The Bulawayo side were at their destructive best against the Knights. Batting first, they scored a mammoth 306/8 in 45 overs before a brilliant bowling spell from Isheunopa Musekwa saw Knights crumble to just 74 runs all out in 22,1 overs.

There were three half-centuries from Queens’ innings with the bat with Tanaka Zvaita topping the charts with a fine 80 runs off 65 balls. Skipper Tanatswa Bechani scored 53 runs from 77 balls while wicket-keeper/batter, Dalubuhle Mboyi retired hurt on 53 runs from 35 deliveries.

Teenager Rowyn Konson made 33 runs from 29 balls and Zimbabwe Under-19 international, Munashe Chimusoro finished undefeated on 25 runs from 14 deliveries.

Winfred Matende finished with figures of 3/63 for the visiting Knights Cricket Club. Ishmael Randazha, Sydney Murombo, Nezbert Maringire and captain Joe Khoma all took one wicket apiece.

Musekwa will go on to give Knights no chance as he took a fifer. His five-wicket haul came in only 6,1 overs while conceding just 14 runs. With the experienced Musekwa finishing with figures of 5/14, Vusi Kasipini finished with figures of 2/20 in five overs while Mpofu and Bechani took one wicket apiece.

Only two Knights batters managed to cross double figures with Lastie Chinyengetere top scoring with 21 runs off 17 balls while opening batter, Calvin Mubvute scored 20 runs off 29 deliveries.

With Queens securing a top-eight finish, there was no joy for their across-town sides, Amakhosi Cricket Club and BAC who finished in position 10 and 12, respectively. Amakhosi managed to amass 40 points while BAC finished with 30 points.

The champions, Takashinga Patriots 1 won the title with 110 points tied with second-placed Westside. Head-to-head separated the two teams at the top of the standings. — @brandon_malvin.