Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has expanded its National Premier League (NPL) programme to include age-group competitions.
It marks a significant step in the organisation’s efforts to strengthen the player development pathway and nurture the next generation of talent.
Previously contested by senior men’s and women’s teams, the NPL has now been extended to junior cricket, providing young players with more regular, structured and competitive opportunities to develop their skills in a high-performance environment.
The inaugural age-group competitions got underway at the weekend, with the Under-13 Boys, Under-15 Boys and Under-15 Girls leagues taking centre stage. Each category features two four-team pools – Zone 1 and Zone 2 – bringing together clubs from across the country in a competition designed to raise standards and accelerate player development. ZC plan to roll out the programme progressively, with the Under-17 Boys and Under-17 Girls competitions set to follow once the lower age-group tournaments have been completed.
The expanded structure is intended to create a clearer pathway from grassroots and club cricket into national age-group teams, academy programmes and, ultimately, the senior men’s and women’s NPL competitions.
The opening round of fixtures offered an encouraging glimpse of the talent emerging through Zimbabwe’s junior ranks.
In the Under-13 Boys competition, Gladiators made an impressive start in Zone 1, securing a seven-wicket victory over Takashinga 1 after dismissing their opponents for 79 before comfortably chasing down the target.
Alex Sports Club also opened their campaign with a win, defeating Rangers by 35 runs after posting 223 for eight. Both teams finished the weekend on two points, with Gladiators occupying top spot on net run rate. In Zone 2, Amakhosi claimed a seven-wicket win over Queens Sports Club, while Takashinga 2 defeated Rimuka Sports Club by six wickets after successfully chasing 123.
Amakhosi lead the standings on net run rate ahead of Takashinga 2.
The Under-15 Girls competition also produced several dominant performances.
In Zone 1, Alex Sports Club recorded a commanding 174-run victory over Rangers after amassing 210 runs, while Gladiators edged Takashinga 1 by three wickets in a closely contested encounter. Alex top the pool on net run rate, with Gladiators level on points.
In Zone 2, Takashinga 2 cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Rimuka Sports Club, while Amakhosi registered a comprehensive 141-run win over Queens Sports Club.
Takashinga 2 head the standings, narrowly ahead of Amakhosi.
Several young cricketers also delivered standout individual performances during the opening weekend. Anesu Chawasarira struck a superb 112 for Alex Sports Club in the Under-15 Girls competition, while Jessy Mutungwindu returned remarkable figures of seven for 15 for Takashinga 2. In the Under-13 Boys category, Tinashe Juma, Panashe Dube and Amitesh Tiripathi each claimed five-wicket hauls, underlining the depth of emerging talent on display. – ZimCricket
