Defending champions Rangers’ nightmare start to the 2025/26 NPL T20 Blast continued on Wednesday as they slumped to a seven-wicket defeat against Amakhosi 1 at Masvingo Sports Club, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the points table and winless after two matches.
Rangers, who lifted the trophy last season with dominant performances, have looked a shadow of their former selves this campaign. Opting to bat first, they made a cautious start, with openers Nick Welch and Jayden Schadendorf putting on 33 runs in five overs. Schadendorf provided some early fireworks with two sixes in his 22 off 19 balls before becoming the first to fall, and Welch followed soon after for 22 off 26 deliveries.
Captain Johnathan Campbell tried to inject momentum with a brisk 17 in partnership with Alistair Frost, who stood tall for the innings with a gritty 42 off 40 balls. Frost struck two sixes and two fours and looked set to push Rangers towards a challenging total, but his dismissal in the 18th over proved decisive. The lower order failed to find acceleration, and Rangers were restricted to 138 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.
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Amakhosi’s bowlers kept the champions in check, with Raymond Kasimo (2/18) and Ernest Masuku (2/25) providing the breakthroughs. Their disciplined effort ensured Rangers never truly broke free despite having wickets in hand.
In response, Amakhosi made light work of the chase, punishing the defending champions’ bowlers from the outset. Openers Tawanda Maposa and Bright Phiri smashed 63 runs inside the first seven overs, setting the tone for a comfortable chase. Maposa top-scored with a blazing 45 off 28 balls, including four sixes, while Phiri chipped in with 24. Brian Chari (21 not out) and Cunningham Ncube (22 not out) completed the job with ease, taking Amakhosi to 142 for three with eight balls to spare.
The defeat has left Rangers winless after two games, languishing at the bottom of the table with no points and a worrying trend of underwhelming performances. Their batting has lacked fluency, while their bowling has struggled to contain opposition top orders.
With the competition heating up and teams like Takashinga Patriots 1 and Alexandra Sports Club already establishing early momentum, Rangers face a daunting challenge to revive their title defence.
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