The Sunday News
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
AMAKHOSI Cricket Club got off their National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast to a bad start as they suffered a six wickets defeat in their opening match against Westside Cricket Club at Masvingo Sports Club yesterday.
Amakhosi are the only team from Bulawayo taking part in the T20 Blast.
In yesterday’s encounter, Amakhosi were bowled out for 106 runs in 18,3 overs before their opponents chased down the target in 11,5 overs, finishing on 112/4.
The NPL T20 Blast got underway yesterday with four matches taking place. A total of eight teams are participating in the competition.
Opening the batting for Amakhosi, Adrian Mupembe top scored for the Bulawayo side with 36 runs from 49 deliveries while Ashely Phiri, down the order chipped in with 10 runs from 12 deliveries. The two were the only ones to cross double figures as Amakhosi struggled with the bat with three of their batters falling without troubling the bowlers with ducks.
Fortune Mhlanga put up a brilliant spell with the ball for Westside Cricket Club, taking fifer. Mhlanga finished with impressive figures of 5/8 in his four overs with one maiden. Prosper Mugeri and skipper Vincent Masekesa took two scalps each to help confine Amakhosi to a low score.
In the match’s second innings, Ainsley Ndlovu continued with his form from the 50-over NPL edition as he was Amakhosi’s leading wicket taker. Ndlovu finished with figures of 3/25 in his four overs while the only other Westside wicket that fell was taken by captain, Ernest Masuku who conceded 39 runs in 2,5 overs.
Bright Njanji top scored for Westside Cricket Club with an unbeaten 46 runs off 23 balls while Kevin Kasuza fell for 46 runs as well after facing 27 balls to help their team collect maximum points and get off their campaign to a good start.
In other matches played yesterday, Uprising Cricket Club managed to get the better of Takashinga Patriots 2 with a two wickets win. Bowling first, Uprising restricted their opponents to 132/7 in 20 overs before going on to chase down the target in 17,5 overs, finishing on 133/8.
Mutare Sports Club recorded a close five runs win over Rainbow Cricket Club. Mutare Sports Club finished on 164/9 in their 20 overs and Rainbow ended their innings on 159/8.
At Takashinga Cricket Club, Gladiators proved strong for Takashinga Patriots 1 with a 37 runs win. Batting first, Gladiators finished their innings on 147/7 and they went on to bowl out Takashinga Patriots 1 for just 110 runs in 16,3 overs.
The NPL T20 blast comes after the completion of the 50 over edition of the country’s premier club cricket competition which came to an end on Wednesday and was won by Takashinga Patriots 2 on net run rate.
The second round of matches is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Amakhosi will be up against Gladiators while Westside will face Rainbow Cricket Club. Mutare Sports Club will be up against Takashinga 2 and Uprising will face Takashinga 1- — Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin.
