Innings break update…
GLADIATORS Cricket Club recovered from an expensive Powerplay to restrict Rimuka Cricket Club to 143 for nine in their NPL T20 Blast encounter at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Rimuka had threatened a much bigger total after racing to 57 for one in the opening six overs, but Gladiators hit back through a disciplined collective bowling effort that saw five bowlers share nine wickets.
Nyasha Mayavo provided the early fireworks for Rimuka, striking 36 from just 21 balls with six boundaries, while former Zimbabwe international Kevin Kasuza contributed 14 from 15 deliveries.
Gladiators had elected to field, but Rimuka initially made them work for their decision.
Victor Chirwa fell for six with the score on 17 in the third over, caught behind by Lennox Chando off Phase Mukabeta.
Mayavo then took charge, putting on 43 for the second wicket with Kasuza as Rimuka reached 60 for one in the seventh over.
The partnership was broken when Arineshto Vhezha removed Kasuza, caught by Brendon Sunguro, for 14.
Mayavo followed five deliveries later, caught by Milton Shumba off Munashe Zata, leaving Rimuka 65 for three after 7.3 overs.
The wickets changed the direction of the innings.
Zata struck again to remove Tashinga Musekiwa for one before Owen Muzondo dismissed Villan Changa for two and captain Takudzwanashe Kaitano for 15.
Rimuka had slumped to 87 for six in the 12th over after losing five wickets for 27 runs.
Tendai Chisoro then took responsibility for rebuilding the innings, producing an unbeaten 34 from 27 balls with three fours.
He found support from Ollard Dzinokuvara, who made six from 17 deliveries, as the pair added 29 for the eighth wicket to push Rimuka beyond 120.
Gladiators continued to strike, however, with Laksh Bakraina removing Nkosilathi Nungu for one before Victor Nyauchi dismissed Dzinokuvara.
Vhezha claimed his second wicket when Nyasha Dube fell for two, leaving Rimuka 130 for nine in the 19th over.
Chisoro remained unbeaten, adding valuable runs alongside the last batter as Rimuka closed on 143 for nine.
Zata was particularly effective, returning two for 23 from four overs, while Vhezha claimed two for 20 from three.
Muzondo also picked up two wickets for 24 from three overs, with Mukabeta conceding just 10 runs from his two overs while taking one wicket.
Bakraina finished with one for 17 from three overs, while Nyauchi claimed one for 35 from four.
Gladiators will now require 144 runs from 20 overs, at 7.20 runs per over, to secure victory.
Having conceded 57 runs in the Powerplay, they will be encouraged by their recovery, which limited Rimuka to just 86 runs from the remaining 14 overs.
Innings break: Rimuka Cricket Club 143/9 (20 overs): Nyasha Mayavo 36, Tendai Chisoro 34*, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 15; Munashe Zata 2/23, Arineshto Vhezha 2/20, Owen Muzondo 2/24.
Gladiators Cricket Club require 144 runs to win.
