By Tendai Chisiri
Gladiators – 151-6 in 17 overs (Milton Shumba 74, Ashley Mufandauya 64, Wessly Madhevere 4; Tashinga Musekiwa 2/20, Davis Murwendo 2/26, Panashe Mazai 1/16)
Rimuka – 152-5 in 14.5 overs (Kevin Kasuza 39, Victor Chirwa 35, Nyasha Mayavo 22; Phase Mukabeta 2/22, Newman Nyamhuri 1/31, Owen Muzondo 1/48)
Rimuka won by five wickets
Rimuka booked their place in the final of the NPL T20 Blast with a commanding five-wicket victory over Gladiators in the first Qualifier at Harare Sports Club on Thursday afternoon, producing a composed, all-round team performance to brush aside half-centuries from Ashley Mufandauya and Milton Shumba.
Rain delayed the start and forced the match to be reduced to 17 overs per side, with Gladiators sent in to bat on a testing surface.
They reached 37 for two inside five overs before Mufandauya and Shumba combined to lift the total to 100 in the 13th over.
Mufandauya departed shortly thereafter, having compiled a well-constructed 64 from 45 deliveries.
Shumba continued in authoritative fashion, producing a superb 74 off 48 balls, highlighted by four sixes and seven fours.
However, support from the remainder of the batting line-up was minimal.
The other five Gladiators batters contributed just seven runs between them, and the innings closed on 151 for six.
Rimuka’s reply was built on consistency and intent at the top of the order.
Their first five batters all reached double figures, ensuring the chase never drifted out of control.
Victor Chirwa set the early tempo with 35 off 21 balls, while Kevin Kasuza almost finished the job with a fluent 39 from 24 deliveries.
Although Kasuza and Tarisai Musakanda (17) were dismissed shortly before the target was reached, Rimuka crossed the line with 13 balls to spare, underlining their authority and sealing a place in the final.
Among the Gladiators bowlers, only Phase Mukabeta emerged with credit, returning figures of two for 22 from his three overs on an otherwise punishing afternoon.
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Amakhosi 1 – 82 all out in 17.4 overs (Adrian Mupembe 21, Thamsanqa Nunu 14, Luyanda Mtomba 12; Tapiwa Mufudza 4/20, Roy Kaia 2/8, Alex Falao 1/4)
Takashinga Patriots 1 – 83-3 in 8.1 overs (Innocent Kaia 29*, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 25, Antum Naqvi 13; Nkosibongwe Gogodo 1/7, Tinotenda Maposa 1/24)
Takashinga Patriots 1 won by seven wickets
Takashinga Patriots 1 kept their title hopes alive after cruising to a seven-wicket victory over Amakhosi 1 in the Eliminator on Friday evening, moving to within one win of the final of the NPL T20 Blast.
The win was powered by a ruthless four-wicket haul from Tapiwa Mufudza.
Put in to bat, Amakhosi struggled to gain momentum and were immediately placed under pressure.
They lost their first four wickets for just 42 runs as Takashinga’s bowlers maintained tight lines.
Adrian Mupembe attempted to steady the innings with a fighting 21, but once Mufudza struck to reduce Amakhosi to 69 for five, the resistance faded.
Mufudza then tore through the tail, finishing with four wickets for 20 runs in just 3.4 overs as Amakhosi were dismissed for a modest 82 in 17.4 overs.
Takashinga’s response was swift and emphatic.
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (25) and Innocent Kaia dominated from the outset, racing to 55 for the first wicket inside 5.2 overs and effectively ending the contest early.
Antum Naqvi added a brisk 13, striking three boundaries before falling, but Takashinga lost only three wickets as they completed the chase in just 8.1 overs.
Kaia applied the finishing touches, hitting Ainsley Ndlovu for a four and a six off successive deliveries to level the scores, and finished unbeaten on 29 from 24 balls.
The victory sends Takashinga Patriots 1 into the second Qualifier against Gladiators on Friday night, with a place in the final within reach.
ZIMBABWE CRICKET
News Sport Online 