By Tendai Chisiri
In their first match of the National Premier League (NPL), Easterns proved to be a force to reckon as they dismissed Takashinga by 5 runs at Takashinga Sports Club.
Takashinga seemed to have an easy game after Easterns had managed 168 runs all out in 43.3 overs.Takashinga won the toss and elected to to bowl first.
The end game was scintillating as Takashinga trailed on 144 runs with 9 wickets down and 27 overs.The teams are playing 45 overs in order to finish the games on time.This was Takashinga’s Match Day 2 after beating MidWest on Sunday.
Eagle’s top order played badly with Spencer Magodo, Tinashe Chiora,Kevin Kasuza and Kudzai Sauramba were out on 18.
Blessing Muzarabani was magnificent on bowling for Takashinga.
However the determination of Donald Tiripano and Clive Chitumba, put on 63 together for the fifth wicket.
Later Wellington Masakadza scored 29, and with the first two bowlers returning to polish off the tail, Easterns could only total 168 — though this was much better than had seemed likely earlier.
But Takashinga also had their top-order problems, losing their top four men for 46, before Roy Kaia (61) stood firm with Tino Mutombodzi (24), to add 51 in partnership.
Then Chatara returned for a second spell and shattered the middle order, reducing Takashinga from 97 for four to 107 for eight, taking all those four wickets in just nine balls.
Takashinga now appeared doomed, except that Kaia was still there, and he had unexpected support from Muzarabani, whose shaky defence proved sufficient for this occasion.
They took the score to 144 before Tiripano finally had Kaia caught at the wicket, leaving Muzarabani and Ngarava needing to score 25 for the last wicket for victory.
These two heroes of the bowling crease fought nobly with the bat too, Muzarabani continuing to defend, while Ngarava was more aggressive.
However on 163, Chatara as captain gave John Masara his first over, and it proved to be a masterstroke, as off the fifth delivery Chatara himself caught Ngarava out for 15 (Muzarabani had six not out off 26 balls), and Easterns had completed a thrilling victory.
Results of all matches
MidWest – 306-8 in 45 overs (Tarisai Musakanda 142, Takudzwa Kaitano 63, Nyasha Mayavo 42; Masimba Maruvatsanga 4/59, Owen Muzondo 1/47)
Gladiators – 158 all out in 33.1 overs (Wesley Madhevere 59, Tony Munyonga 27, Ashley Mufandauya 26; Trevor Chibvongodze 3/21, Manson Chikowero 2/13, Jabulisa Tshuma 2/23)
MidWest won by 148 runs( Played at Harare Sports Club)
Amakhosi – 30-1 in 5.2 overs (Nkosana Mpofu 16*, Bright Phiri 12; Faraz Akram 1/9)
Harare Kings –
No result The match was abandoned due to rain (Played at Kwekwe Sports Club)
Easterns – 168 all out in 43.3 overs (Donald Tiripano 40, Clive Chitumba 37, Wellington Masakadza 29; Blessing Muzarabani 5/28, Richard Ngarava 3/24, Roy Kaia 1/46)
Takashinga – 163 all out in 32.5 overs (Roy Kaia 61, Tinotenda Mutombodzi 24, Elton Chigumbura 19; Tendai Chatara 5/27, Donald Tiripano 2/22, John Masara1/2)
Easterns won by five runs (Played at Takashinga
Queens – 126-9 in 24 overs (Luke Jongwe 31, Chamu Chibhabha 29, Saxon Pettican 13; Nkosilathi Nungu 4/34, William Mashinge 2/25, Tendai Chisoro 1/17)
Great Zimbabwe Patriots – 82 in 19.3 overs (Richmond Mutumbami 19, Gabriel Jaya 19, Tendai Chisoro 16; Sean Williams 4/22, Tanatswa Bechani 3/2, Chris Mpofu 1/1)
Queens Sports Club won by 44 runs (Played at Queens Sports Club)
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