Takashinga Patriots 2 win NPL T20 Blast

THE coveted National Premier League (NPL) title will go to Highfields after Takashinga Patriots 2 won the T20 Blast after beating Uprising Cricket Club on Saturday evening at the Harare Sports Club.

The historic final was played under floodlights at the country’s ceremonial home of cricket, the first club cricket final match to be played under lights in Zimbabwe.

Takashinga Patriots 2 recorded a close three runs victory over their determined opponents as the match went down to the last ball.

The eventual champions scored 207/9 in their 20 overs before Uprising finished on 204/7 in same period.
Cephas Zhuwao and Antum Naqvi were once again the core of Takashinga Patriots 2’s batting unit as they put up a good spells with the bat in the match’s first innings.

The high flying Naqvi proved aggressive as he top scored with a brilliant 91 runs off 47 balls in an innings that comprised of five sixes and seven fours. The hard hitting Zhuwao fell for 36 runs while Faraz Akram chipped in with 35 runs to help their side reach a good score.

Veteran fast bowler, Chris Mpofu showed that experience is the best teacher with the ball in hand as he led Uprising’s bowling unit.

Mpofu, in his four overs, finished with impressive figures of 4/27 while all rounder, Luke Jongwe claimed three scalps for 52 runs.

In their defence, Takashinga Patriots 2 had a good start to the second innings as they got the wicket of Takudzwanaishe Kaitano in the fourth over, bowled by Trevor Gwandu for 12 at 26 for one.

However, the game changed its complexion as Craig Ervine and Nick Welch notched up a superb second-wicket partnership of 131 in less than 12 overs before Naqvi stepped up to trap Ervine in front for 76 runs off 37 deliveries. Welch went on to fall for 60 runs from 45 balls.

The last ball of the match arrived with Brian Bennett on strike for Uprising needing four for victory, however, he failed to hit it well, and had to scramble for a single leaving them three runs short of victory.

Trevor Gwandu starred with the ball for Takashinga Patriots 2, finishing with figures of 3/34 while Tashinga Musekiwa claimed two scalps for 33 runs in a worthy finish to the country’s premier club cricket competition.

The T20 Blast came after the completion of the one day version of the NPL which was won by Takashinga Patriots 1 in a dramatic final day which saw them claim the title on net run rate.

This marked a memorable campaign for the two Takashinga sides in the country’s most lucrative cricket competition. — @brandon_malvin