ON the opening day of the 2023 National Premier League season, Tony Munyonga dazzled with the first century, leading the defending champions, Gladiators, to a resounding 167-run victory over Rainbow at the Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare.
A 104-ball 102 entertainment innings comprising five maximus and eight boundaries put the Chitungwiza-based side in a commanding position after batting first.
Struggling national team top order batter Wessly Madhevere also rediscovered his mojo with 85 runs while his compatriot, Milton Shumba, weighed in with 29 runs as Gladiators scored 289/9 in 45 overs.
Mathew Campbell was the pick of Rainbow bowlers with four wickets for 39 runs, while Patrick Nyamapfeni picked two wickets.
Faced with a mountain to climb, Rainbow’s run chase met with resistance from Shumba, who spun the ball to perfection, taking four wickets for 13 runs, while Malcom Chikuhwa was equally unplayable for his three wickets for 12 runs.
Rainbow exited the wicket on 122/9 inside 29.3 overs, with Lavert Masunda tops coring with 40, Ronald Moyo (29) and Tino Chiwara (16).
In a low-scoring match played at Masvingo Sports Club, Mutare’s Westside beat Amakhosi by six wickets.
Amakhosi were bundled out for a paltry 98 runs in 23.3 overs, falling to the bowling of Fortune Mhlanga, who picked three wickets for 13 runs. Under 19 national team aspirant Anesu Kamuriwo two wickets for 12 runs, so did Frank Mazviita, who grabbed two for 16.
Ernest Masuku, captain of the Bulawayo side, scored 27 runs, while Tinotenda Maposa weighed in with 17.
The match ended in 22 overs after Westside reached 101/4, with Takudzwa Nyamugure scoring 38, Definate Mawadzi (16) and Tinashe Chiorah (13).
Kasimo, who chipped in with 27 runs with the bat for Amakhosi, picked two wickets for 16 runs, while Masuku and Cedric Dube claimed a wicket apiece.
