SOGO Rangers strengthened their bid for a play-off place after beating Takashinga Cricket Club by 67 runs in a day-night National Premier League (NPL) match at Harare Sports Club.
Rangers’ total of 251 was the highest team score of this year’s NPL T20 Blast. It was built around four half-centuries.
As usual, Matthew Campbell set the tone, reaching his half-century in just 19 balls at the top of the order.
Takashinga’s run chase got off to a poor start. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe struck the first ball for four, but Daniel Jackiel bowled him the next delivery.
Takashinga suffered another setback when Kudzai Maunze retired hurt after being struck on the neck by a bouncer from Dion Myers. Maunze had looked set for a big score but had to leave the field on 24 from 11 balls.
Captain Roy Kaia, who made 50 from 37 balls, and Samuel Muyambo, who scored 44 from 38, tried to take their side to 200—a total that would have earned them a bonus point—but their efforts were in vain as Rangers kept up the pressure.
Kudakwashe Macheka was the pick of the Rangers bowlers, taking two wickets for 31 runs in his four overs.
The Sunday crowd had turned out to watch one of the biggest rivalries in local club cricket, and Rangers kept them entertained, never taking their foot off the gas.
Dion Myers was the second Rangers batter to score a half-century. His innings included three boundaries and two sixes before he was bowled by Ronak Patel.
Rangers captain Jonathan Campbell also found form at just the right time, maintaining the momentum after the contributions of his brother Matthew and Myers.
Jonathan shared a 90-run fifth-wicket partnership with Dane Schadendorf, which came off just 37 balls.
After treating the crowd to some powerful six-hitting, both batters remained unbeaten. Jonathan finished on 56 from 31 balls, while Dane made 51 from 21.
Of the bowlers used by Takashinga captain Kaia, only Ryan Simbi kept his economy rate below 10 runs per over. The others conceded at nearly 13 runs per over.
Republished from NPL Zimbabwe · Brian Kuda Goredema. Original article.
