marble nkomo
Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has sent a women’s Under-19 team to compete at the fifth edition of Nigeria’s Invitational WT20I, scheduled for 20-28 March at Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos.
This will be the first time that Zimbabwe, alongside South Africa, will compete at the tournament, which is now known as the Patricia Kambarami Cup.
“The fifth Nigeria Invitational WT20i takes on a new legacy as this year’s title is proudly named the Patricia Kambarami Cup. And here’s the twist: for the first time ever, South Africa Women U19 cricket team and Zimbabwe Women U19 cricket team join the race, bringing fresh energy, fierce competition, and the next generation of stars to the tournament. New contenders, new legacy, one prestigious cup,” the Nigerian Cricket Federation wrote.
Team Zimbabwe will be captained by Buhlebenkosi Maposa at the tournament, the sister of Chevrons star Tinotenda Maposa and Tuskers all rounder Tawanda Maposa.
The 14-member squad also included experienced players like Beloved Biza, Christina Mutasa and Lorraine Pemhiwa who all have senior national team caps under their names.
Zimbabwe Under-19s are scheduled to get their campaign up and running with a clash against the hosts, Nigeria this afternoon before going on to face Rwanda in their second match on Saturday.
The team will then have three days of rest before facing neighbours and fellow tournament newbies South Africa on Tuesday. The Buhlebenkosi Maposa-captained side will then conclude their round robin matches with a game against Ghana on Wednesday afternoon.
The top four teams will then proceed to the semi-finals, where number one will be up against number four and number two will face number three on Friday. The third-place play-off match and the final are scheduled for Saturday, 28 March.
Matches will be played at 10am in the morning and 2pm in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, club cricket in Bulawayo continues this weekend with a number of interesting matches lined up.
In the First League, 50-over cricket will be played with Queens Sports Club 1 taking on Amakhosi Cricket Club 2 at the Old Mutual Academy of Cricket Excellence (former Heath Streak Academy) on Saturday.
On Sunday, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) 1 will be up against Wholesale Beef Bulls at the same venue.
Both matches start at 09.30am.
In the second league, the refurbished Milton High School cricket ground will see NUST take on Champions Cricket Club on Saturday.
Two second league matches are lined up for Sunday. BAC 2 will be up against Dingani Bookshop Cricket Club at Emakhandeni Cricket Club, while Nketa Cricket Club 1 will host Riverdale Roosters Cricket Club at Milton High School.
ZRP fixtures were suspended pending disciplinary committee hearing.
All second league matches are 40-over games. All matches across both leagues are free of charge.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter