eBusiness Weekly
Tadious Manyepo
Inaugural National Cricket Premier League (NPL) winners Takashinga Patriots, have walked away US$10 000 richer.
The 45-over national club competition was launched by Zimbabwe Cricket in September to bridge the gap created by a long lull in action owing to Covid-19.
Nine clubs including Takashinga, MidWest, Amakhosi, Queens, Rainbow Sharks, Gladiators, Harare Kings, Great Zimbabwe Patriots and Easterns took part in the highly-competitive tournament.
And it was the Highfield outfit that proved full value for their investment in experience and determination to be crowned champions.
The team was officially honoured at a colourful prize-giving ceremony held at the iconic Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani who handed the cheque to Takashinga hailed the team for their achievement.
“I would like to congratulate Takashinga for winning the National Premier League trophy. I would also like to congratulate all the teams, which took part in the NPL.
“The commitment and the zeal was out of this world. We will see how best we can continue.
“We will have more tournaments and more cricket coming next year,” he said.
For their efforts, runners-up MidWest walked away with US$5 000 in prize money.
There were individual awards which saw Takashinga captain Roy Kaia scooping the player of the tournament accolade for his consistent all-round performances during the NPL campaign.
MidWest skipper Tarisai Musakanda, who scored 307 runs including a century and a fifty, was voted as the best batsman.
The top bowler award went to Malcolm Chikuwa of Gladiators who claimed a total of 23 wickets, including a best return of seven for 16 runs, in eight matches.
For leading Takashinga to six victories in their eight matches, Erick Chauluka was named as coach of the tournament.
The NPL, a 45-over national club competition involving the top teams from across Zimbabwe, was unveiled by ZC in September.
NPL Award Winners
- Winners — Takashinga Patriots
- Runners-Up — MidWest
- Player of the Tournament — Roy Kaia (Takashinga Patriots)
- Batsman of the Tournament — Tarisai Musakanda (MidWest)
- Bowler of the Tournament — Malcolm Chikuwa (Gladiators)
- Coach of the Tournament — Erick Chauluka (Takashinga Patriots)
