EASTERN Titans could not find a way past Lennox Chando and Naison Mare as defending champions Gladiators Cricket Club recorded their fourth NPL T20 Blast victory with a crushing 10-wicket win at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
The Titans tried six bowlers, including experienced Zimbabwe international Tendai Chatara, but none could break an opening partnership that carried Gladiators to 146/0 in 15.2 overs, comfortably overhauling a target of 144.
Chando was the chief destroyer, striking an unbeaten 83 from 55 balls, while Mare contributed 46 not out from 37 deliveries as the champions completed their third victory in as many days.
It was a remarkable turnaround from Sunday’s tense five-wicket win over Old Hararians 1, when Gladiators needed a boundary from Owen Muzondo in the final over to secure victory.
Against Eastern Titans, the outcome was effectively settled long before the closing stages.
The match began on a solemn note, with players and officials observing a moment of silence in memory of Sarah Dambanevana.
Eastern Titans elected to bat but struggled to build partnerships against a Gladiators attack led by Victor Nyauchi, Owen Muzondo and Munashe Zata.
Takudzwa Nyamugure threatened to give the Titans a flying start, striking three fours and two sixes in a brisk 27 from 16 balls.
Muzondo ended his innings in the fourth over, and although the Titans reached 40/1 after six overs, their scoring slowed as wickets began to fall.
Tariro Makauyo occupied the crease for 33 deliveries but managed only 24 runs before Muzondo bowled him, leaving Eastern Titans on 86/4 in the 12th over.
Captain Definate Mawadzi contributed 16 and Kudzai Sauramba added 19, but neither could produce the acceleration needed to challenge Gladiators.
Nyauchi was the pick of the bowlers with 3/26 from four overs, dismissing Spencer Magodo, Mawadzi and Prosper Mugeri.
Muzondo finished with 2/27, while Zata claimed 2/23 as the Titans closed on 143/9.
The target gave Gladiators an opportunity to strengthen their position in the tournament, and Chando wasted little time taking advantage.
The wicketkeeper-batter, fresh from his player-of-the-match 67 against Old Hararians, dominated the early exchanges.
Gladiators reached 50 without loss in four overs, with Chando responsible for 40 of those runs from just 19 balls.
Mare played the supporting role, allowing his partner to attack while ensuring the scoreboard continued moving.
The pair took Gladiators to 57/0 at the end of the Powerplay before Chando reached his half-century from 31 balls.
By the time their partnership passed 100 in the 11th over, Eastern Titans were already running out of options.
Chando continued to find the boundary, eventually finishing with 11 fours and a six.
Mare grew more assertive as the innings progressed, hitting two fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 46.
The Titans’ bowling figures reflected their difficulties.
Mashford Shungu conceded 46 runs from four overs, while Prosper Mugeri went for 38 from three.
Chatara was the most economical of the frontline bowlers, conceding 11 runs from two overs, but the Titans never found the breakthrough needed to slow the chase.
Gladiators reached their target with 28 balls remaining, leaving the rest of their batting line-up unused.
The opening stand also highlighted the champions’ ability to win through different combinations.
Against Old Hararians, Chando’s attacking innings was followed by a crucial partnership between captain Milton Shumba and Brendon Sunguro.
This time, the opening pair finished the job themselves.
Gladiators have now beaten Mbizo Cricket Club, Old Hararians 1 and Eastern Titans on successive days, with Chando contributing 150 runs across the latter two matches without showing any sign of slowing down.
Monday’s victory was their most emphatic of the three, with the bowlers restricting the opposition before the openers completed a chase that never required the middle order.
