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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
MOSI-OA-TUNYA High School retained the Matabeleland North boys cricket title they won last year with an eight wicket triumph over George Silundika High School at Inyathi High School last Friday.
Alex Fackson top scored with an unbeaten 10 runs as George Silundika made 28 runs for two in five overs. Mosi-Oa-Tunya scored 29 for two in 3.1 overs to seal the victory. Digital Moyo was the highest scorer with 14 runs while skipper Fikile Dube was second best with an unbeaten nine runs.
For their successful defence of their title, the Victoria Falls school were presented with a shield and a cricket ball by Zimbabwe Cricket national schools manager Nicholas Singo. The silverware was donated by Singo who recently also assumed the position of Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association administrator and his friend Jha Aarsh this year.
Singo urged the youngsters not to be deterred from pursuing their dreams of playing cricket at a high level because their schools do not have the facilities as well as equipment. He gave a perfect example of national team bowler Christopher Mpofu who learnt at Magwegwe High School but that did not prevent him from achieving his dream of playing international cricket.
“Because you go to schools with no cricket or equipment you think you cannot succeed in getting into the professional set up but it’s not like that, if you are committed you can make it. I will give you the example of Christopher Mpofu, he did not go to an amazing school, he went to Magwegwe but he is now with the national team in Sri Lanka,’’ said Singo.
Dube was voted the player of the tournament, Thamsanqa Moyo of George Silundika took the best batsman award while Xolani Mpofu of Gebuza was adjudged to be the most outstanding bowler on display over the two days.
Matabeleland North Cricket Association chairperson Fiona Ndlovu said 10 schools participated in the two day tournament with three of them taking part for the first time. Ndlovu, who is a ZC board member, is the Matabeleland North head in charge of the game as well as headmistress of Gebuza High School in Hwange. All the schools which took part got a cricket ball each.
A squad of 18 players was chosen to represent the province at a national tournament to be staged at Mosi-Oa-Tunya on 28 and 29 July. Aaron Phiri is the provincial coach.
— @Mdawini_29
Online Reporter