THE 2025/26 NPL T20 Blast burst into life on Saturday with both Takashinga Patriots sides stamping their authority, while Alexandra Sports Club edged Gladiators in a last-over thriller.
At Old Hararians Sports Club, Takashinga Patriots 1 made a powerful statement by crushing defending champions Rangers by 76 runs. After being put in to bat, Innocent Kaia (46 off 28) set the tone with a blistering start before Tafadzwa Tsiga (42 off 20) accelerated in the middle overs. Kundai Matigimu added 26 as Takashinga closed on 179 for seven. Rangers’ Mike Frost was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 31.
Rangers’ chase never got going. National paceman Tendai Chatara struck twice in his opening spell to remove Jayden Schadendorf and Alistair Frost, leaving the defending champions reeling. Only Johnathan Campbell offered fight with 47 off 36, but wickets tumbled around him as Rangers folded for 103 in 16.1 overs. Chatara (2/8), Tapiwa Mufudza (3/31) and Tanaka Chivanga (2/11) ensured a dominant win for the Patriots.
At Kwekwe Sports Club, Takashinga Patriots 2 produced an equally commanding display to beat Amakhosi 1 by 63 runs. Rodney Mupfudza anchored the innings with an unbeaten 57 off 53 balls, guiding his side to 144 for seven. In reply, Amakhosi crumbled to 81 all out, undone by a fiery spell from young seamer Arineshto Vhezha, who ripped through the top order to finish with 3 for 13.
Meanwhile, at Alexandra Sports Club, the hosts overcame a brilliant 80 from Wessly Madhevere to snatch a five-wicket victory over Gladiators in the closing stages. Gladiators had posted 193 for seven, but Alexandra replied strongly through Ahsan Aqil Ali (60) and Muhammad Annas Aqil (40). Despite a wobble, Muhammad Zaheer Tufail’s unbeaten 38 off 17 balls sealed the win with three balls to spare.
