dyton mupawaenda
Lawrence Moyo–Head Zimpapers Sports
TAKASHINGA 2 completed a double over Gladiators, winning the qualifier by 13 runs to reach the final of the National Premier League T20 Blast cricket tournament at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Gladiators have a second attempt today when they take on Uprising, who beat Takashinga Patriots 1 by 45 runs in the eliminator last night, in a second qualifier at Harare Sports Club.
Uprising made 213/6 with man-of-the-match Brian Bennet scoring 62 off 35 balls and Nicholas Welch making 47 off 24 balls while Tanaka Chivanga took three wickets for 39. In reply Takashinga 1 made 168/8.
When Takashinga 2 and Gladiators met in the final round of the regular season, Takashinga 2 won by 101 runs after blasting a massive 277/2 off their 20 overs while Gladiators could only manage 176/8 in response.
The huge total was built around a first wicket partnership of 197, which is just one run short of yesterday’s total, between Cephas Zhuwao and Baxon Gopito in 13.5 overs.
Yesterday Takashinga 2 batted first again but this time the opening stand was just 30 runs in 2.4 overs as Gopito fell for 14 off nine balls while Zhuwao followed after 6.2 overs, falling for 34 off 18 balls.
The highest contribution came from man-of-the-match Antum Naqvi who made 70 from 44 balls at number three.
In response, Gladiators stayed within range but lacked firepower in the end and could only manage 185/7.
They put 48 for the opening stand and went between 3.4 overs and 12.4 overs without losing a wicket but 70 runs in those nine overs was below par and the reason they eventually lost by 13 runs.
The required run rate at the start of the reply was just under 10 and the opening 3.4 overs had gone for an average of 15 runs.
However, the nine overs without a wicket averaged just 7.78 runs an over.
Wicketkeeper and number three batsman Clive Madande led the scoring with 50 off 36 balls while Milton Shumba added 28 at number four and Tony Munyonga had the second highest knock of the innings with 31 off 22 at number five.
Trevor Gwandu led the Takashinga 2 bowling with three wickets for 42 off his four overs.
Online Reporter