Online Reporter
TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 made a statement on the opening day of the 2025/26 NPL T20 Blast, thrashing defending champions Rangers by 76 runs at Old Hararians Sports Club on Saturday.
Explosive batting from Innocent Kaia and Tafadzwa Tsiga powered Takashinga to an imposing total of 179 for seven.
Kaia, opening the innings, struck 46 off just 28 balls, while Tsiga, coming in at 91 for three, smashed 42 from 20 deliveries to push the score into a commanding position.
Mike Frost was the pick of the Rangers bowlers, claiming three of the first four wickets for 31 runs.
However, Rangers struggled from the outset after Tendai Chatara dismissed Jayden
Schadendorf and Alistair Frost in his first two overs. Johnathan Campbell provided some resistance with 47 off 36 balls, but Rangers were eventually bowled out for 103, nearly four overs short of completing their innings.
Chatara finished with figures of two for eight, while Tapiwa Mufudza grabbed three for 31.
At Kwekwe Sports Club, Takashinga Patriots 2 secured a commanding 63-run victory over Amakhosi 1, thanks to a patient 57 not out from Rodney Mupfudza and incisive bowling from Arineshto Vhezha. Mupfudza anchored the innings after coming in during the second over, guiding the team to 144 for seven.
Scores
Takashinga Patriots 1 — 179-7 in 20 overs (Innocent Kaia 46, Tafadzwa Tsiga 42,
Kundai Matigimu 26; Mike Frost 3/31, Daniel Jakiel 2/40, Johnathan Campbell 1/28)
Rangers — 103 all out in 16.1 overs (Johnathan Campbell 47, Brandon James 21, Matthew Welch 11; Tapiwa Mufudza 3/31, Tendai Chatara 2/8, Tanaka Chivanga 2/11)
Takashinga Patriots 1 won by 76 runs
Takashinga Patriots 2 — 144-7 in 20 overs (Rodney Mupfudza 57, Marshall Takodza 24, Cephas Zhuwao 20; Ainsley Ndlovu 2/20, Ernest Masuku 2/38, Dumoluhle Dube 1/17)
Amakhosi 1 — 81 all out in 14 overs (Cunningham Ncube 18, Luyanda Mtomba 14, Bright Phiri 13; Arineshto Vhezha 3/13, Tanyaradzwa Kagumba 2/13, Wishnenzy Chapfombo 2/16)
Takashinga Patriots 2 won by 63 runs
Gladiators — 193-7 in 20 overs (Wessly Madhevere 80, Tanatswa Chisvo 26, Lennox Chando 16; Tinashe Muchawaya 2/28, Ahsan Aqil Ali 2/36, Victor Nyauchi 1/27)
Alexandra Sports Club — 194-5 in 19.3 overs (Ahsan Aqil Ali 60, Muhammad Annas Aqil 40, Muhammad Zaheer Tufail 38; Tanatswa Chisvo 2/37, Owen Muzondo 1/24, Newman Nyamhuri 1/29)
Alexandra Sports Club won by five wickets. — Zimcricket
