BMCA proud of its three talents

THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association (BMCA) has congratulated three of its youngsters who were selected for the Lahore Qalandars High Performance Programme in Lahore, Pakistan.

The three Bulawayo youngsters Tawanda Maposa, Tinotenda Maposa and Brighton Phiri are among the eight development players that will head to Pakistan in September for a four-month long programme.

One of the players, Tinotenda Maposa took part in the recently ended Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 league and claimed two wickets in two balls in the tournament opener for Harare Hurricanes against the Bulawayo Braves. The youngster, who has shown massive potential was named the Emerging Player of the Tournament.

BMCA chairperson Godwin Dube applauded the three players, saying that their selection to go to Pakistan is proof of the amount of work that they have been putting in behind the scenes. He added that their inclusion is motivation to keep on working hard.

“We are extremely happy and motivated to work harder. I would like to applaud the players, coaches and the administration for their efforts. I am sure this development will also motivate the next generation from the province and beyond to put in the hard yards.

“It is not by coincidence that this group of players have been selected. They have been working extremely hard in the last few years and have been rewarded with the opportunity to develop their skills. We hope this opportunity will help them develop into successful international cricketers,” said Dube.

Apart from the Maposa brothers and Phiri, the other five players who were selected for the programme are Tanunurwa Makoni, Marshal Takodza, Lennox Chando, Davis Marwendo and Alex Falao.

Tinotenda, and Makoni took part in the Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 competition which was won by Durban Qalandars after edging Joburg Buffaloes by eight wickets in the final on Saturday.

Their selection is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed between Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) giants Lahore Qalandars which is aimed at bolstering the growth and development of cricket in Zimbabwe.

The youngsters are set to start their programme on September 1 and at the same time, under the terms of the MoU, the Qalandars will reciprocate by sending five Pakistani fast bowlers – with bowling speeds of 140-plus kilometres per hour – to play domestic cricket in Zimbabwe. — @brandon_malvin