Takashinga Patriots 1 brace for NPL title defence

Online Reporter

Cricket National Premier League champions, Takashinga Patriots 1, will begin defence of their title when they face Westside at Mutare Sports Club on Saturday as the fourth edition of Zimbabwe’s major club competition gets underway.

Harare Metropolitan side, Rangers, are among the first-time participants in the tournament, together with Strikers from Mashonaland East, Rimuka from Mashonaland West and Knights from Masvingo.

With 14 teams vying for the coveted silverware, seven matches are lined up for match day one.

Rangers will make their NPL bow against Amakhosi at Masvingo Sports Club, while Takashinga Patriots 2 will be taking on Bulawayo Athletic Club at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday.

Gladiators will complete the day’s action against Mbizo at Old Hararians Sports Club.

On Sunday, Rimuka will mark their first-ever appearance in the tournament when they host Rainbow at Kadoma Sports Club, while Strikers will make their debut against Queens Sports Club at Kwekwe Sports Club.

The other newcomers, Knights, will face Scorpions at Masvingo Sports Club.

The next match day is scheduled for 19 and 20 June at venues across the country.

A total of 91 matches will be played in this NPL campaign, with the final round set for 10 and 11 August.

Harare Metropolitan is represented by Takashinga Patriots 1, Takashinga Patriots 2, Gladiators and Rangers, who secured their places in the tournament directly from the province’s own main league, while Rainbow qualified via the playoffs.

Bulawayo Metropolitan’s guaranteed berths were taken up by Amakhosi and Queens Sports Club, with Bulawayo Athletic Club joining them from the playoffs.

Manicaland, Masvingo and Midlands each had one spot, with Westside, Scorpions and Mbizo earning direct qualification from those provinces respectively.

Strikers, Knights and Rimuka complete the line-up after coming through the playoffs.

 

NPL Matchday 1 Fixtures:

Saturday:

Gladiators v Mbizo (Old Hararians), Westside v Takashinga Patriots 1 (Mutare Sports Club), Rangers v Amakhosi (Masvingo Sports Club), Takashinga Patriots 2 v BAC (Kwekwe Sports Club)

Sunday:

Rimuka v Rainbow (Kadoma Sports Club), Queens v Strikers (Kwekwe Sports Club), Knights v Scorpions (Masvingo Sports Club).