HALF-CENTURIES from the Kaia brothers (Roy and Innocent) helped Takashinga Patriots 1 to a 3 wicket victory over Gladiators to be crowned the National Premier League (NPL) 2023 champions in a match played at Old Hararians Sports Club on Wednesday.
Wessly Madhevere’s century was vain as the defending champions Gladiators surrendered their title in agonizing fashion having led the log table for most of the season only to fall short in the last two games.
Set a target of 271 for victory,Takashinga 1 openers Joylord Gumbie and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe started off aggressively taking the attack to Gladiators.
Gladiators opened with spin and Gumbie went after it. After 3.4 Overs, Takashinga 1 was cruising at 33 without loss before Gumbie 21 from 14 balls holed out to Owen Muzondo off the medium pace of Crowmen Zinyama.
Kamunhukamwe and Innocent Kaia shared a third wicket partnership of 33 runs in 3 overs before the former’s entertaining knock of 36 from 26 came to an end, bowled through the gate by Muzondo.
At 66-2 it was the turn for the Kaia brothers to consolidate Takashinga 1’s innings without losing a wicket.
They did that but not without drama as the game had to be stopped twice as the chirping went overboard and the Kaia brothers had to be restrained from going into a fight with some of the Gladiators players.
Bouyed by whatever was said by the fielding side, the Kaias put on a 3rd wicket stand of 105 runs.
It was Roy who was the enforcer in the partnership finding the boundary rope regularly, his 57 came from 59 runs keeping up with the required run-rate.
He scored 6 fours and one six before he was bowled by left-arm spinner Milton Shumba.
Innocent followed his older brother to the pavilion three overs later after scoring a half century, 52 from 80 balls.
Takashinga 188-4 after 32.1 overs, Gladiators were right back into the match but needed more wickets.
It was left to the experienced duo of Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha to steer Takashinga 1 to victory.
The two former Zimbabwe captains oblidged, sharing a crucial fifth wicket stand of 56 runs that took the game further away from Gladiators.
They showed the youngsters how to bat under pressure nudging down singles and occasionally putting the bad ball away for four without taking any risks, knowing that they could cash in towards the end as long as they were still at the crease with wickets in hand.
With 50 runs needed from 36 runs, Gladiators turned to pace and brought in the experienced Zinyama.
Masakadza decided to go after Zinyama in the 40th over and that over yielded 17 runs.
It was vintage Masakadza, the best shots of that over was the straight six of long-on and a four over long-off.
There was still another twist to the run chase, Chibhabha tried to also go after Zinyama but was snapped by Muzondo at Cow corner for 27 from 39 balls.
Gladiators got the big wicket of Masakadza, bowled by Munashe Zata for 43 from 34 balls. Takashinga 1 still needing 15 runs from 15 balls to win with 4 wickets in hand.
Wellington Masakadza was dismissed by Zinyama for 6 runs with Takashinga 1 still needing 9 runs from 8 balls.
Zinyama’s slow ball was picked by Tanaka Chivanga and dispatched over the boundary for six to all but seal the match for the Highfields based side.
Takashinga 1 scampered to victory with overthrows and the old sleeping giant had finally reawakened from it’s deep slumber.
With Takashinga 2 having lost to Upsrising Cricket Club, Takashinga 1 victory over Gladiators gave them the coveted domestic premier club trophy.
