Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AMAKHOSI Cricket Club 1 roared back to form with a seven-wicket demolition of National Premier League defending champions SOGO Rangers at Masvingo Sports Club yesterday.
The Bulawayo side, stung by an opening day defeat, turned the tables in style and deepened Rangers’ early season slump to two losses in as many matches.
It was a complete performance with bat and ball, a strong follow up to their third place finish in the 45-over NPL that ended a fortnight ago. Rangers, who won the toss and batted first, could only reach 138/7 in their 20 overs.
Raymond Kasimo led the Amakhosi attack, striking first to end a 33-run stand between Nick Welch and Jayden Schadendorf, having the latter caught for 22.
Prince Kaunda soon removed Welch, also for 22, with Rangers stuck on 57/2.
Kasimo bagged his second when Johnathan Campbell fell for 17, and Tawanda Maposa followed by dismissing Alistair Frost for 42 and running out Mathew Welch (9) in successive balls. Captain Ernest Masuku closed the innings with two late wickets, removing Sean Bennett (11) and David Johnson (3). Kasimo returned figures of 2/18 from four overs, Masuku 2/25, while Kaunda and Maposa shared a wicket each.
Chasing 139, Amakhosi’s openers gave them a flying start.
Maposa hammered 45 off 28 balls in a 63-run stand with Bright Phiri, who added 24 off 22.
Tafara Mupariwa chipped in with 21 before Brian Chari (21 not out) and Cunningham Ncube (22 not out) sealed the chase in 18.4 overs.
Frost picked up two wickets and Mike Frost one for Rangers, whose title defence is already under pressure.
Elsewhere, Queens Sports Club fell by eight wickets to Gladiators at Kwekwe Sports Club. Queens posted 130 in their 20 overs, a target the hosts cruised past in 13.5 overs, finishing on 136/2.
Amakhosi host Rimuka Cricket Club at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Saturday, while Queens meet Rangers in Kwekwe.
