Story by Raynald Ngwarati, Sports Reporter
Sogo Rangers remain the team to beat in the National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast after a narrow three-run victory over Takashinga One this Sunday, to move four-points clear at the summit of the points table.
Runaway leaders, SOGO Rangers are proving to be a notch above other franchises after edging second-placed Takashinga 1 this Sunday to make it five-victories-out-of-five in NPL T20 Blast 2024 season.
Matthew Campbell put on a show with his bat for the Rangers, scoring 60 runs off 34 balls to take his side to a mammoth 200 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs, to give Takashinga One’s batters some work in their innings.
In response, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe tried all he could to help Takashinga One crossover the target of 201 runs to win, but his 66 off 34 was not enough as the pair of Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani allowed two-dots in the final over which swung the match in Rangers favour.
The duo failed in their attempt to supply the required runs as Takashinga One’s innings concluded on a score of 197-7, which were four runs shy of the winning target.
Takashinga One, however, still remain second on the table having picked three victories out of five, but with a better run rate than third placed Gladiators Cricket Club who have a similar record.
Gladiators Cricket Club had a beautiful day on the pitch this Sunday after beating Takashinga Two by eight wickets having surpassed Takashinga 2’s score of 176 runs for seven wickets with relative ease to pick up their third victory of the campaign.
Midlands-based Mbizo Cricket Club could only settle for fourth seed after choking to Rainbow 1 Cricket Club by eight wickets having struggled to put 104 runs on the board in their 20 overs, which Rainbow went past with 31 unused deliveries.
Meanwhile, Westside rose to fifth on the table after an eight wicket victory over Queens 1 Sports Club this Sunday following a successful run-chasing of 139 runs to win target with nine balls to spare.
