Maunze, Mufudza Shine as Takashinga 1 Beat Mbizo

TAPIWA Mufudza claimed four wickets for 23 runs as Takashinga 1 recovered from a difficult start with the ball to beat Mbizo Cricket Club by 20 runs in their NPL T20 Blast encounter at Harare Sports Club on Thursday evening. Mbizo looked capable of chasing down Takashinga 1’s 162 for six after reaching 54 without loss in eight overs, but their innings unravelled spectacularly as they lost nine wickets for just 43 runs. Mufudza sparked the collapse, with captain Roy Kaia and Gerald Olipa claiming two wickets apiece to leave Mbizo struggling at 97 for nine before they recovered to finish on 142 for nine. Earlier, Takashinga 1 elected to bat and lost Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 14 and Olipa for seven inside three overs. Kaia and Kudzai Maunze repaired the damage with a 92-run third-wicket partnership, lifting the hosts from 24 for two to 116 for three. Maunze top-scored with 57 off 39 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, while Kaia contributed 42 from 31 deliveries. Maunze reached his half-century off 34 balls before falling to Tinotenda Nzua. Timycen Maruma added 15, while Tashinga Makoni remained unbeaten on 18. Prosper Useni was Mbizo’s leading wicket-taker with two for 28, while Sheldon Mugari conceded just 22 runs from his four overs. Mbizo began their reply confidently through Tafadzwa Mahachi and Blessed Muzite, reaching 49 without loss after six overs. Mahachi struck nine fours and a six in his 55 off 39 balls, but the innings lost momentum when Mufudza removed Muzite for nine. Mufudza then trapped Brendan Hildebrand leg before wicket for two before Kaia dismissed Mahachi and Dylan Nzvenga in successive deliveries, reducing Mbizo to 77 for four. The wickets continued to fall as Mufudza bowled Useni for five, while Olipa removed Tinotenda Nzua and captain Trevor Gwandu. Mufudza completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Tapiwa Mushope for nine, leaving Mbizo on 94 for seven. Mbizo slipped to 97 for nine before Ronald Masocha, unbeaten on 21, helped add 45 runs for the final wicket. The late recovery narrowed the margin but could not prevent Takashinga 1 from opening their campaign with victory.