TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 succumbed to SOGO Rangers by five wickets in a tightly contested NPL T20 Blast Qualifier 1 match at Harare Sports Club on Thursday. 

After losing the toss, Patriots 1 went in to bat first and got off to a steady start.

Opener Joylord Gumbie set the tone with a blistering 47 off just 30 deliveries, lacing his innings with six boundaries and a solitary six. 

Patriots 1 all-rounder Wellington Masakadza chipped in with a well-compiled 29 off 19 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Despite the early loss of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 10, Patriots 1 middle-order stood tall, with a crucial 54-run unbeaten partnership between Hamilton Masakadza  (27* off 13) and Blessing Muzarabani (25* off 15) propelling them to a competitive total, 182/6 in their allotted overs. 

SOGO Rangers’ Ryan Burl was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/17 in his four-over spell.

In response, Rangers got off to a shaky start, losing both their openers – Mathew Campbell, golden duck, and Jayden Schadenhorf (7) cheaply, courtesy of some incisive bowling from Muzarabani and Munashe Chipara, respectively. 

However, a century stand between Sean Williams (61) and Mathew Welch (39) steadied the ship and put the Rangers firmly in the driver’s seat.

Muzarabani continued to be a thorn in the Rangers’ side, picking up two crucial wickets, but some calculated hitting from SOGO ensured they reached the target of 183/5 with just four balls to spare, thereby clinching a hard-fought victory.

Both teams left it all out on the field in their pursuit of a spot in the final. 

Patriots 1 will be disappointed to have fallen short, but they can take solace in their spirited performance, which saw them push the Rangers all the way. They will play in Friday’s Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between Gladiators and Westside that is scheduled for this evening.