MGCINI Dube’s five-wicket haul inspired Takashinga Patriots 2 to an eight-wicket victory against Mbizo Cricket Club in a National Premier League (NPL) match, which took place on Saturday at Old Hararians Sports Club.

Mbizo won the toss, and captain Ronald Masocha sent his team to face Takashinga 2’s bowling attack.

The cricket team from Kwekwe ran into trouble in the third ball of the first over when their opener, Trevor Chibvongodze, was given out leg before wicket (LBW) by Patriots 2’s Wallace Mubayiwa. Chibvongodze was dismissed for a three-ball duck.

In the fourth over, Captain Daichi Nyandoro took another wicket when Muhammad Anas Aqil, 8 (11), was given out LBW.

When right-arm fast bowler Dube was introduced in the eighth over, he took two wickets of, Kudakwashe Kaitano and Hammad Ul Hassan Aqil, for a maiden over, leaving the visitors at 29/4.

At the drinks break, Dube had already taken three more wickets to complete a five-wicket haul, and Mbizo in all sorts of trouble struggling at 62/7 after 15 overs.

It took 25 overs for Mbizo to reach 101 runs, but the bowlers from Highfield continued to cause trouble for Mbizo’s batsmen.

Shelton Mazvitorera, a right-arm medium bowler, took two wickets in the 26th and 30th overs, solidifying Patriot 2’s dominant position.

Chimwe Chimushini skipper, Nyandoro finished the job with the first ball of the 32nd over, claiming the wicket of Chiemele Udekwe for a two-ball duck, and Mbizo were bowled out for a measly 116 runs.

Takashinga 2 bowlers performed remarkably, delivering eight maiden overs. Dube earned the title of Player of the Match for his exceptional five wickets for 14 runs, his second similar award in the season.

Left-handed batsman Nyandoro and right-hander Tanunurwa Makoni opened the batting for Takashinga 2 in pursuit of a total of 117.

However, Nyandoro was dismissed in the third over when he was caught behind by Isaac Danladi off the bowling of Mbizo skipper.

Right-handed batsman Tawanda Maposa partnered with Makoni. Their partnership yielded 108 runs off 76 balls in just 12.4 overs to secure the win for Patriots 2. Maposa smashed 69 runs from 42 balls, while Makoni contributed 32 runs from 40 balls.

Patriots 2 won the match by eight wickets in 15.3 overs.