By Tendai Chisiri
Zimbabwe Cricket’s Age Group National Premier League is gathering serious momentum after Week Two delivered big wins, shifting tables, and fresh proof that the country’s junior pathway is working.
The competition, launched as a junior extension of the senior men’s and women’s National Premier League, gives young cricketers regular, high-quality matches and a clear route from age-group cricket into Under-19 and academy structures. This phase features the Under-13 boys and Under-15 girls, each split into Zone 1 and Zone 2. Under-17 boys and girls will follow once these tournaments wrap.
Gladiators dominate, Takashinga chase hard
In the Under-13 boys Zone 1, Gladiators remain unbeaten after an eight-wicket win over Rangers at Alex Sports Club. That result puts them top on four points. Takashinga 1 bounced back with a nine-wicket victory over Alex at Harare Sports Club, leaving them second on two points alongside Alex on net run rate.
Zone 2 is just as tight. Takashinga 2 made it two wins from two with a seven-wicket victory over Amakhosi at Kwekwe Sports Club to lead on four points. Rimuka kept pressure on with an eight-wicket win over Queens Sports Club in Kadoma. Amakhosi and Rimuka sit on two points each.
The Under-15 girls competition produced the weekend’s biggest margin. Gladiators crushed Rangers by 236 runs at Harare Sports Club to stay unbeaten and move to four points in Zone 1. Takashinga 1 also picked up a crucial four-wicket win over Alex, putting them second on two points, ahead of Alex on net run rate.
Zone 2 saw Takashinga 2 continue their perfect start with an eight-wicket win over Amakhosi. Queens edged Rimuka by 13 runs in Kadoma. Takashinga 2 lead the zone on four points, with Amakhosi and Queens both on two.
Emerging talent steps up
Individual performances underlined the depth coming through. Gladiators’ Mufudzi Ngirande leads the Under-13 boys run charts with 82 runs, followed by Kyle Batidzirai on 80 and Ryan Munetsi on 74. With the ball, Gladiators’ Tinashe Juma has been outstanding with 10 wickets.
In the Under-15 girls, Anesu Chawasarira tops the run charts with 112 runs for Takashinga 1, ahead of Nenyasha Chirume and Ruvarashe Maimba who are both on 90. Takashinga 2’s Sandra Chigaramasimbe leads the wicket-taking with 10 scalps.
With Under-17 boys and girls competitions next up, the NPL Age Group is already showing its value as a feeder into Zimbabwe’s Under-19 and academy setups. Week Three fixtures are expected to tighten the group standings further as teams chase semi-final spots.
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