SOGO Rangers continued their perfect start in the Zimbabwe National Premier League (NPL) beating defending champions Takashinga Patriots 1 by six wickets at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare on Saturday.
Takashinga Patriots 1 struggled early, losing three wickets for 49 runs. Timycen Maruma tried to steady the innings with 61 off 77 balls, supported by veteran batsman Hamilton Masakadza (36) and club captain Roy Kaia (33), but the team was all out for 247 in 42.1 overs. Daniel Jakiel was outstanding with the ball, taking five wickets for 41 runs for the Rangers.
Rangers lost explosive opener Tadiwanashe Marumani cheaply for 32, but Brian Bennett scored 81 off 85 balls to take control. Johnathan Campbell (48 not out) and Ryan Burl (41 not out) then added 71 runs without losing a wicket, guiding Rangers to 248 for four in 36.2 overs, winning comfortably with more than eight overs remaining.
Takashinga Patriots 2 also impressed, beating Mbizo by eight wickets at Kwekwe Sports Club in Midlands. Skipper Daichi Nyandoro bowled brilliantly, taking five wickets for just 10 runs in nine overs, as Mbizo were all out for 79. Tanunurwa Makoni led the chase with 62 not out, helping Takashinga 2 reach 82 for two in 18.5 overs.
In other matches, Alexandra Sports Club won by 100 runs against Gladiators. Aliakbar Hamid (82) and Ahsan Aqil Ali (83) shared a 146-run partnership to set up a total of 268 for five. Gladiators struggled despite Benny Zuze’s 53 and were bowled out for 168. Victor Nyauchi (3/26) and Nazim Patel (3/15) cleaned up the tail.
Queens Sports Club beat Eastern Titans by 23 runs. Munashe Chimusoro scored an unbeaten 80 as Queens posted 223 for nine. Titans’ partnership of 67 between Spencer Magodo (63) and Tariro Makauyo (54) looked strong, but a collapse saw them all out for 200. Jeffrey Mhuriyengwe, Nkosana Mpofu, and Sheunopa Musekwa took two wickets each.
Rimuka clobbered Amakhosi 2 by 189 runs, powered by Villan Changa (57) and Davis Murwendo (55 not out), while Brandon Mavuta took five wickets for 16 runs.
Methane Lions beat Chiredzi by seven wickets, with Tadiwa Gosho scoring 53. Chiredzi’s Tendai Chisoro made 75, but the team was all out for 181. Lions finished on 183 for three in 38.5 overs.
Amakhosi 1 held their nerve to beat Westside by 25 runs. Tawanda Maposa (67) and Ernest Masuku (32) helped set a total of 220, while Dumoluhle Dube took five wickets for 38 as Westside were bowled out for 195, despite Kian Arnold’s 71.
