Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Online Writer
National Premier League (NPL) manager Edward Rainsford believes Zimbabwe’s premier club cricket competition is set for its most competitive season as the 2026/27 campaign gets under way this month.
The men’s Super 40 competition starts on Saturday, 11 July, with defending champions Rangers launching their title defence against a field of 14 clubs from across the country, while the women’s Super 40 competition follows on Sunday, 19 July, featuring six of Zimbabwe’s leading women’s clubs.
“The National Premier League has become the showcase of club cricket in Zimbabwe, bringing together the strongest teams and some of the country’s most exciting talent.
“Every season raises the standard and we expect this one to be our most competitive yet,” said Rainsford.
Now entering its fifth season, the NPL has established itself as Zimbabwe Cricket’s flagship club competition, providing a platform for the country’s top domestic players while creating a pathway to provincial and national honours.
Rainsford said the competition’s continued expansion reflected the growth of cricket beyond the traditional centres, highlighting the promotion of Triangle Cricket Club as one of the major developments ahead of the new season.
“It’s particularly exciting to welcome Triangle into the NPL for the first time.
“Their qualification is richly deserved and demonstrates that quality cricket is thriving in more parts of the country. That diversity only makes the competition stronger,” he said.
Triangle will make its top-flight debut alongside defending champions Rangers, Takashinga 1, Takashinga 2, Gladiators, Queens Sports Club, Old Hararians, Eastern Titans, Amakhosi 1, Amakhosi 2, Strikers, Scorpions, Mbizo and Rimuka.
The women’s competition will feature Takashinga Queens, Gladiators, Ghetto Stars, Queens Sports Club, Amakhosi Queens and Mbizo as they battle for the title.
The senior competitions also follow the successful introduction of structured NPL age-group tournaments earlier this year, strengthening the pathway from junior cricket to Zimbabwe’s highest level of club cricket.
