TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 brushing aside Rangers by four wickets with nearly six overs still in the bank in an National Premier League at Takashinga Cricket Club on Saturday.
The day belonged, in large part, to two men in the middle order. Brendan Taylor, the seasoned campaigner, showed exactly why experience still counts for something in this format, crafting a composed 96 from 83 deliveries laced with 11 fours and three sixes. Alongside him, Antum Naqvi looked in no mood to play second fiddle, striking a fierce 73 off 71 balls with nine boundaries of his own. Together they put on 151 for the third wicket the kind of partnership that effectively decides a match long before it’s over.
By the time both fell within a short stretch of each other, Taylor to Jason Maritz, Naqvi to Michael Frost the equation had shrunk to almost nothing. Alvin Chiradza made sure there was no late twist, teeing off for an unbeaten 28 from just 18 balls, including six fours, to bring up victory at 223 for six in 34.1 overs.
Kundai Matigimu was there at the other end, yet to score but not needing to.
Earlier in the day, it was a different story entirely. Rangers, having won the toss and chosen to bat, found themselves under constant pressure from Patriots 1 attack that simply would not let up.
Munashe Chipara was the pick of the bowlers, ripping through the order with figures of 4 for 31 in just 6.5 overs, while Matigimu chipped in with 3 for 29. Tapiwa Mufudza and Naqvi picked up a wicket apiece to round things off, restricting Rangers to 221 all out in 38.5 overs.
Rangers were not without a fight, though. Ethan Cunningham stood tall almost alone, battling to a fine 113 off 98 balls with 10 fours and four sixes a knock that kept the visitors competitive but ultimately lacked the support it deserved.
Michael Frost (3/43) and Maritz (2/57) tried to claw things back for Rangers during the chase, but there simply was not enough runway left. Takashinga got the job done with 33 balls unused
TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 brushing aside Rangers by four wickets with nearly six overs still in the bank in an National Premier League at Takashinga Cricket Club on Saturday.
The day belonged, in large part, to two men in the middle order. Brendan Taylor, the seasoned campaigner, showed exactly why experience still counts for something in this format, crafting a composed 96 from 83 deliveries laced with 11 fours and three sixes. Alongside him, Antum Naqvi looked in no mood to play second fiddle, striking a fierce 73 off 71 balls with nine boundaries of his own. Together they put on 151 for the third wicket the kind of partnership that effectively decides a match long before it’s over.
By the time both fell within a short stretch of each other, Taylor to Jason Maritz, Naqvi to Michael Frost the equation had shrunk to almost nothing. Alvin Chiradza made sure there was no late twist, teeing off for an unbeaten 28 from just 18 balls, including six fours, to bring up victory at 223 for six in 34.1 overs.
Kundai Matigimu was there at the other end, yet to score but not needing to.
Earlier in the day, it was a different story entirely. Rangers, having won the toss and chosen to bat, found themselves under constant pressure from Patriots 1 attack that simply would not let up.
Munashe Chipara was the pick of the bowlers, ripping through the order with figures of 4 for 31 in just 6.5 overs, while Matigimu chipped in with 3 for 29. Tapiwa Mufudza and Naqvi picked up a wicket apiece to round things off, restricting Rangers to 221 all out in 38.5 overs.
Rangers were not without a fight, though. Ethan Cunningham stood tall almost alone, battling to a fine 113 off 98 balls with 10 fours and four sixes a knock that kept the visitors competitive but ultimately lacked the support it deserved.
Michael Frost (3/43) and Maritz (2/57) tried to claw things back for Rangers during the chase, but there simply was not enough runway left. Takashinga got the job done with 33 balls unused
