Bulawayo team gears up for NPL

Bulawayo Metropolitan’s representatives at the country’s premier club cricket competition have stepped up their preparations as the commencement dates for the 2024/25 National Premier League (NPL) draw closer.

The 14-team tournament is scheduled to start on 15 June with seven matches lined up and Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association (BMCA) will be represented by three teams.These are Amakhosi Cricket Club, Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC). Amakhosi and Queens took up the automatic berths for Bulawayo while BAC had to go through the play-offs.

All the clubs have begun practicing with their final squads expected to be released soon.Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Queens Manager Stanislaus Rukato said it’s all systems go on their side with practice having begun. He said they are hopeful of a good campaign with a team that will be a combination of youth and experience.

Rukato said they are looking at giving their youngsters a chance to showcase their talent and skill at the highest level and their target for the season is securing a top eight finish which will guarantee them a spot in the NPL T20 Blast.

“Our preparations are underway and our target is to secure a top eight finish so that we make it to the T20s. We have a few Under-19 players in our camp, one played in the Under-19 World Cup and the other one was the captain of the Matabeleland Select Under-17 team. We have a number of school going youngsters.

BAC Director of Cricket, Senyo Nyakutse also said their preparations were on course and will be looking at giving their youngsters a chance to also shine at the biggest stages. He said the exposure they will get from participating in the NPL will assist in their growth as cricketers.

“Everything is going well, we are submitting our final squad soon. We have some guys nursing injuries but they are recovering well. We have the youngest and inexperienced squad from our province with an average age of 21-22, but overall, we are happy with the way things are.
“What we want is for our guys to get exposure and grow. We don’t have pressure of finishing in a certain position,” said Nyakutse.

Amakhosi Cricket Club head coach, Thabo Mboyi, who has been away with the Zimbabwe Cricket High Performance Program, said he believes all is in place and are looking at securing a better position than in the last edition.Mboyi said they have also brought in new players to beef up their team.

“I believe that everything is well and things have been going perfectly fine, we are looking forward to the season. Last year, we finished eight so this time around we will be hoping to be in the top four. We have new guys joining us, Tafara (Mupariwa) from BAC and Vitalis Buwu among others,” said Mboyi.

In the opening round of games, BAC will travel to Masvingo to play against Westside Cricket Club at Masvingo Sports Club on June 15, while Queens Sports Club will face Rainbow Cricket Club at Kwekwe Sports Club on the same day.

The following day, Mbizo Cricket Club will play host to defending champions Takashinga Patriots 1 at Takashinga Cricket Club while Strikers face Gladiators in Marondera. Amakhosi Cricket Club will be home to Takashinga Patriots 2 at Kwekwe Sports Club, with Old Hararians Knights facing Rimuka. Scorpions will be up against Rangers at Masvingo Sports Club to round up the opening week of games.—@brandon_malvin.