Takashinga beat Gladiators to set up final against Rangers

A captain’s innings of 62 by Roy Kaia and a brilliant burst of power hitting from Hamilton Masakadza were the main factors in Takashinga Patriots 1’s 45-run victory over Gladiators at Harare Sports Club on Friday night to secure a place in the NPL T20 Blast final against Rangers.
Gladiators, winning the toss, put Takashinga in to bat and quickly seized the wicket of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, bowled by Munashe Zata for four.
Joylord Gumbie again gave his side a good start with a quick 27 off 30 balls, and after his dismissal Kaia and Emmanuel Bawa (22) took the score to 100 in the 15th over before Bawa left.
The scoring rate was better than a run a ball, but needed a boost, and Masakadza came in to do just that.
In 14 balls he powered his way to 45, with five sixes and two fours, although he lost Kaia on the way, for 62 off 44 balls.
Takashinga finished on 178 for seven wickets, a good but not invincible score.
Cromen Zinyama was the most successful bowler, with three wickets, including that of Masakadza, but they cost him 44 runs.
Gladiators, chasing, could find neither the devastating innings nor the major partnership they needed to reach their target.
Six of their top seven batters made scores of between 17 and 26, but they could get no further against the good Takashinga bowling, and their highest partnership was only 27.
They therefore never looked threatening for long, and Tanatswa Chisvo, with the top score of 26 not out, could only do his best while the later batters crumbled around him, as they hit out desperately and perished.
They finished on 133 for nine wickets, with Munashe Chipara taking three wickets for 10 runs in his three overs.
The final between Rangers and Takashinga is happening at Harare Sports Club this Saturday, starting at 6.00 pm, followed by live performances by local music stars Tamy Moyo and Voltz JT.

Takashinga Patriots 1 – 178-7 in 20 overs (Roy Kaia 62, Hamilton Masakadza 45, Joylord Gumbie 27; Cromen Zinyama 3/44, Milton Shumba 2/20, Munashe Zata 1/43)
Gladiators – 133-9 in 20 overs (Tanatswa Chisvo 26*, Milton Shumba 24, Panashe Taruvinga 21; Munashe Chipara 3/10, Tapiwa Mufudza 2/22, Blessing Muzarabani 1/12)
Takashinga Patriots 1 won by 45 runs – ZC