TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 sealed an 88-run win over Mbizo in the National Premier League on Sunday at Kwekwe Sports Club, thanks to a sparkling century from Innocent Kaia.
Kaia struck 102 from 101 balls, hitting a six and 12 fours, and shared a 125-run opening stand with Joylord Gumbie, who made 52. Their solid platform lifted Takashinga to 242 for nine in 45 overs. Mbizo pulled things back through Isaac Okpe, who finished with impressive figures of five for 45.
In reply, Mbizo never found momentum and were dismissed for 154 in 40.1 overs. Selim Salau top-scored with 33, while Hendricks Macheke remained unbeaten on 22. Former national captain Graeme Cremer led the attack with four for 21, well supported by Antum Naqvi and Samuel Muyambo, who took two wickets each.
Takashinga Patriots 2 also had a comfortable outing at Old Hararians Sports Club, beating Eastern Titans by seven wickets. Titans could only muster 113, with Tendai Chatara’s 22 the best effort, as Daichi Nyandoro and Ryan Simbi picked three wickets each. Takashinga slipped to two early wickets but were carried home by Kupakwashe Muradzi’s unbeaten 73 from 60 balls.
At Masvingo, Queens Sports Club powered to an 84-run victory over Chiredzi. Munashe Chimusoro’s 92 and Tanatswa Bechani’s 64 revived Queens from 73 for five to a total of 266. In response, Chris Mpofu ripped through Chiredzi’s top order, taking three wickets for 15 in his first spell. Calvin Mubvute fought back with a lively 83 off 66 balls, but Chiredzi still folded for 182. Mpofu ended with four for 25.
At Old Hararians, Rimuka thrashed Westside by 197 runs after Nickel Kombora produced a sensational spell of seven for 25. Rimuka had earlier posted 270 for six, built around Takudzwanashe Kaitano’s 71 and Brandon Mavuta’s unbeaten 63. Westside were bundled out for just 73, with no batter passing 11.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Sports Club eased past Amakhosi 2 with a six-wicket win on their home ground. Amakhosi laboured to 177 for seven, Blair Morrow top-scoring with 38. Alexandra made light work of the chase, reaching 181 in only 20 overs. Muhammad Anas Aqil struck 51, while Faraz Akram added 49.
Amakhosi 1, also playing in Masvingo, edged Methane Lions by 37 runs. Brian Chari was the star with 117 from 105 balls, including six sixes and 11 fours, anchoring Amakhosi’s 282 for seven. Bright Njanji kept Lions in the chase with 94, but a collapse followed after his dismissal. Tawanda Maposa took four for 41 and Talent Dzikiti three for 30 to secure the win.
Rangers wrapped up the weekend’s action with a nine-wicket win over Gladiators at Old Georgians. Gladiators posted 200, but no batter went past Munyaradzi Chingoruma’s 31. Ryan Burl claimed three wickets. In the chase, Tadiwanashe Marumani made a quick 22 before Jarod Basson (88 not out) and Dion Myers (70 not out) shared an unbeaten stand of 167, steering Rangers home in under 30 overs.
