By Tendai Chisiri
HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket’s Age Group National Premier League will deliver a Chitungwiza-Highfield showdown this Sunday as Gladiators and Takashinga 2 meet in both the Under-13 boys and Under-15 girls finals at Old Hararians Sports Club. Both matches start at 9.15am.
The finals revive one of Zimbabwe’s oldest cricket rivalries. Chitungwiza and Highfield have long been nurseries for the domestic game, producing players, clubs and contests that shaped local cricket. Now that tradition moves to age-group level.
The expanded Age Group NPL was created to give young players competitive cricket and a clear pathway to Under-19, academy and senior structures. This weekend’s match-ups underline that purpose.
Unbeaten runs to the final
Gladiators topped Zone 1 in the Under-13 boys with 3 wins from 3, sealing their spot with an 8-wicket win over Alex Sports Club. Takashinga 2 matched them in Zone 2, also unbeaten, after a 5-wicket win over Queens Sports Club.
The Under-15 girls final features the same clubs. Gladiators finished top of Zone 1 with a perfect record, capped by a 177-run demolition of Alex Sports Club. Takashinga 2 were equally dominant in Zone 2, closing with a 10-wicket win over Queens Sports Club.
Standout performers
The group stage highlighted depth in junior cricket.
Under-13 boys: Kyle Batidzirai of Takashinga 2 leads runs with 147, followed by Mufudzi Ngirande, Rangers, 130 and Craig Phiri, Amakhosi, 123. With the ball, Gladiators’ Tinashe Juma tops wickets with 11, while Ethan Mufukwa of Takashinga 2 has 9.
Under-15 girls: Nenyasha Chirume of Gladiators leads batting with 164 runs, ahead of Anesu Chawasarira and Ruvarashe Maimba. Sandra Chigaramasimbe has 13 wickets for Gladiators, while Jessy Mutungwindu has 8 for Takashinga 2.
Zimbabwe Cricket says the finals are about more than silverware – they celebrate competition, community and the next generation of national talent. With Chitungwiza and Highfield pride at stake, the Age Group NPL is set for a high-quality climax.
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