TAKASHINGA 2 provided another disciplined bowling performance before showing encouraging resistance with the bat, but a damaging middle order collapse ultimately denied them as Gladiators Cricket Club secured a 42-run victory in a National Premier League encounter played in Highfield on Saturday.
Having elected to field first after winning the toss, Takashinga 2 repeatedly struck at key moments to dismiss Gladiators for 207 in 37.2 overs despite several useful contributions through the middle order.
The visitors made a bright start before Daichi Nyandoro removed Ashley Mufandauya for eight and then claimed the prized wicket of Wessly Madhevere, who managed only four, to leave Gladiators wobbling at 34 for two.
Captain and wicketkeeper Lennox Chando steadied the innings with a fluent 36 from 41 deliveries, while experienced campaigner Tony Munyonga added 34 from 45 balls. Their efforts rebuilt the innings before Takudzwa Chataira dismissed Chando and a sharp run out involving Marshall Takodza and wicketkeeper Tinashe Nenhunzi accounted for Munyonga.
The innings gained fresh momentum through Owen Muzondo, whose well crafted 47 from 50 balls, together with Ambitious Muduma’s patient 33 from 52 deliveries, carried Gladiators beyond the 180 mark.
Takashinga 2, however, finished strongly with Shelton Mazvitorera producing an outstanding spell of four wickets for 32 runs from 7.2 overs. He removed Muzondo before dismissing Kirby Madaramete and later cleaned up the tail to prevent Gladiators from posting an even bigger total.
Nyandoro claimed two for 39, Chataira returned excellent figures of three for 37, while captain Takodza maintained control with an economical spell that yielded one wicket for just 22 runs.
Chasing 208, Takashinga 2 endured the worst possible start as Liam Mudenda fell without scoring before Tanunurwa Makoni departed for eight, leaving the home side under immediate pressure at 10 for two.
The innings was revived by Awad Naqvi, who once again demonstrated his growing importance with a composed 58 from 71 balls. His innings included six boundaries and a six as he patiently rebuilt alongside Tanatswa Chisvo, whose valuable 39 from 53 deliveries provided excellent support.
Their partnership transformed the chase after Takashinga had slipped to 43 for four, adding 94 runs for the fifth wicket to restore belief and take the score to 137.
With Naqvi bringing up his half century from 55 deliveries and Chisvo rotating the strike effectively, Takashinga 2 appeared capable of launching a serious challenge during the closing overs.
However, the contest swung dramatically once Naqvi was caught by Tony Munyonga off Kirby Madaramete immediately after the partnership reached its peak.
Chisvo followed in the next over, and the lower order was unable to sustain the chase as wickets fell regularly.
Daichi Nyandoro contributed an aggressive 19 from only 12 balls earlier in the innings, while Takudzwa Chataira battled for 13, but Takashinga eventually closed on 165 all out in 38.2 overs.
For Gladiators, Phase Mukabeta and Malcom Chikuhwa shared the honours with three wickets apiece, while Madaramete claimed the crucial breakthrough that ended Naqvi’s resistance.
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