Takashinga maintain their dominance

Takashinga maintained their stranglehold over club cricket with a 62-run win over Bulawayo Athletic Club in the National League final in Mutare.

Takashinga batted through to the final overs of the first day in making 338, Sam Mwakayeni's 135 providing the backbone of the innings while Regis Chakabva (62) and Johnson Marumisa (65*) also made significant contributions. Freedom Takarusenga took 4 for 35.

Bulawayo made a good start thanks to Freedom Takarusenga (95) and Bonaparte Mujuru (67*) but the middle order fell away.

Takashinga's dominance has been a long-running bone of contention inside Zimbabwe with it being accused of receiving preferential treatment from senior administrators. Earlier this week someone close to the situation told Cricinfo: "The club is fully funded by Zimbabwe Cricket as ZC employees like Steven Mangongo and Gift Makoni are running it. In fact, Takashinga entice all talented black players as the perception is that if you play for them your chances of being selected for provincials are that much better."