Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SOGO Rangers stretched their unbeaten run in the National Premier League (NPL) to six matches following a crushing eight wickets victory over Alexandra Sports Club at Old Georgians Sports Club on Wednesday.
The high flying Rangers are now the only side yet to taste defeat in the 2025 edition of the country’s premier club cricket competition. Alex Sports Club were the other side who hadn’t lost going into Wednesday’s midweek action.
Fortune favoured Rangers as early as the toss as Johnathan Campbell, for the second time this season, called correctly and opted to field first. They then bowled out their opponents for just 112 runs in 20 overs before going on to chase it down in 13.3 overs, finishing on 114/2.
Returning youngster Benjamin Banks, supported by Kuda Macheka stole the show with the ball for Rangers. Banks finished with impressive figures of 4/39 in eight overs while Macheka claimed 3/40 in his seven-over spell.
Ethan Cunningham chipped in with two scalps while Ryan Burl took one. Hamza Khan top scored for Alex Sports Club, making 17 runs off as many deliveries while Nigel Mazhindu chipped in with 15 runs from 25 balls.
The only other batter to reach double figures was Victor Nyauchi, scoring 12 runs from 19 balls.
Rangers’ opening duo of Nathaniel Hlabangana and Tadiwanashe Marumani put up a 31-run opening wicket stand before the former was bowled for 16 runs in the third over. Marumani fell in the fifth over for 12 runs, leaving Rangers on 41/2.
Nick Welch and Dion Myers saw the game through with an unbeaten 71-run third wicket partnership. Welch finished on 36 runs off 37 balls while Myers scored 33 runs off 27 deliveries.
Meanwhile, former champions Gladiators Cricket Club made light work of newbies Chiredzi Cricket Club with a nine wickets win. Newman Nyamhuri put up a player of the match performance with the ball for Gladiators, taking six wickets for 38 runs in eight overs as they bowled out their opponents for 147 runs in 31 overs.
They chased down the target in just 11.4 overs with Wessly Madhevere finishing unbeaten on 72 runs from 38 deliveries.
Two matches are ongoing where Amakhosi Cricket Club 1 are chasing 293 runs against Takashinga Cricket Club 1 at Kwekwe Sports Club.
Queens Sports Club are defending 184 runs against Westside Cricket Club at Masvingo Sports Club.
– @brandon_malvin
