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Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) successfully launching the women’s National Premier League (NPL) this year, inaugural winners’ captain Nomvelo Sibanda has described the competition as a great development platform for women’s cricket.
Bulawayo-based Queens Women were crowned winners of the inaugural NPL campaign, claiming the title in a fashionable style after finishing the season unbeaten.
The Bulawayo-based franchise was led by Lady Chevrons player Sibanda, who has described the win as an exciting moment for her charges, which they will cherish for a long time.
What is more exciting about the success is that Queens Women will always be remembered for being the first team to win the trophy following the launch of the league this year by Zimbabwe Cricket.
“It is a very exciting moment for us as a team, and winning always brings a nice feeling, and for us creating history in Zimbabwe Cricket is something that we will cherish for a long time,” said Sibanda.
Having led the Bulawayo-based side to the historic achievement, Sibanda credits the support of the team’s coach and a united changing room.
“I feel very humbled and grateful. It would not have been possible without our coach, Trevor Phiri, who was always there supporting and guiding us as a team.
“From the team’s perspective, it was all about teamwork, backing each other up, and enjoying the game.
“The changing room environment was very positive and relaxed; hence it became easy to express ourselves. Our little secret was “doing what makes you feel happy,” hence we had the privilege to come out of the box and try new things, be it batting, bowling, or fielding,” said Sibanda.
“We just wanted to go through our processes, and we knew that once we did that, winning would eventually take care of itself,” she added.
Sibanda hailed ZC for giving the girl child a platform to develop the sport outside the normal franchise system.
“I think it’s a good initiative by Zimbabwe Cricket as we got to see a lot of young girls taking up cricket and en-joying it, and all I can say is that the future is very bright.
“ZC is doing a good job in growing the women’s game as we see a lot of youngsters taking up the sport not only socially but professionally as well,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter