Defending champions Gladiators Cricket Club took another significant step towards retaining their NPL T20 Blast crown after overcoming Old Hararians by four wickets in Thursday’s Eliminator at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare.
Inspired by an impressive bowling performance from Arineshto Vhezha, Gladiators restricted Old Hararians to 123/9 in 20 overs before completing a tense chase of 124/6 with 11 balls to spare to book their place in Friday’s Qualifier 2 against Rimuka Cricket Club.
The victory kept Gladiators firmly on course to defend their championship, with two more wins standing between them and a successful title defence.
Having established themselves as one of the competition’s strongest sides during the league phase, the defending champions showed their determination to remain in contention despite a few nervous moments during the chase.
Vhezha was the architect of their victory, claiming three wickets for 28 runs in four overs as Old Hararians suffered a collapse that left them reeling at 16/5 inside the first four overs.
Victor Nyauchi also played a crucial role with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2/12 from four overs, while Tony Munyonga claimed two wickets for 20 runs to maintain the pressure on the opposition.
Nyauchi struck early, removing Ahsan Aqil Ali for a duck before dismissing Clive Madande for two. Vhezha then tore through the middle order, sending captain Aliakbar Hamid, Muhammad Zaheer Tufail and Luke Jongwe back to the pavilion without offering meaningful resistance.
Old Hararians struggled to recover from the early damage, but Huzaifa Syed provided some resistance with 42 runs off 39 balls, including three fours and a six.
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Syed’s dismissal in the 16th over left his side at 82/8, threatening to leave Gladiators with a modest target. However, Natsai Mushangwe contributed 19 off 15 deliveries, while Alex Falao remained unbeaten on 20 from 17 balls to lift Old Hararians to a total of 123/9.
Gladiators’ pursuit of the target did not begin smoothly, as Lennox Chando fell for a duck in the opening over after being bowled by Falao.
Panashe Taruvinga added 17 from 12 balls before falling to Wallace Mubayiwa, leaving the defending champions at 31/2.
Naison Mare and captain Milton Shumba then steadied the innings with a 38-run partnership for the third wicket. Mare scored 25 off 30 deliveries before being caught and bowled by Mushangwe, while Shumba contributed 32 from 24 balls to keep the chase on track.
Shumba’s dismissal at 99/4, followed by Brendon Sunguro’s departure for a duck two deliveries later, briefly revived Old Hararians’ hopes.
Ahsan Aqil Ali claimed both wickets to finish with figures of 2/17 from four overs, putting Gladiators under renewed pressure with the finish line approaching.
Munyonga added 19 from 18 balls before falling to Jongwe, leaving the defending champions at 116/6 in the 17th over, with eight runs still required.
However, Owen Muzondo and Vhezha held their nerve to guide Gladiators home. Muzondo finished unbeaten on eight from 13 deliveries, while Vhezha contributed five not out from five balls as the champions completed the chase in the 19th over.
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