Gladiators and Takashinga 2 set for Zimbabwe Age Group NPL finals

Gladiators and Takashinga 2 set for Zimbabwe Age Group NPL finals

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Zimbabwe Cricket’s Age Group National Premier League (NPL) will conclude with a double-header of finals on Sunday as Gladiators of Chitungwiza and Takashinga 2 of Highfield meet in both the Under-13 boys and Under-15 girls title matches.

The two finals will be played at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare, with both matches scheduled to start at 9.15am. The fixtures follow three rounds of group-stage cricket in which the two clubs were the standout performers across their respective zones.

The weekend also renews a long-running rivalry between Chitungwiza and Highfield, two communities regarded as important centres for cricket development in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Cricket says the expanded Age Group NPL is intended to strengthen competition at junior level and provide a clearer pathway into Under-19, academy and senior structures.

In the Under-13 boys competition, Gladiators topped Zone 1 with three wins from three matches, finishing the group stage unbeaten. They confirmed their place in the final with an eight-wicket win over Alex Sports Club.

Takashinga 2 mirrored that record in Zone 2, also winning all their matches. They sealed top spot with a five-wicket victory over Queens Sports Club to set up Sunday’s final.

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The Under-15 girls final will feature the same two clubs after both produced perfect group-stage campaigns. Gladiators finished first in Zone 1, highlighted by a 177-run win over Alex Sports Club in their last match.

Takashinga 2 ended top in Zone 2 without defeat and underlined their form with a 10-wicket win over Queens Sports Club.

Zimbabwe Cricket said the group phase produced strong individual displays. In the Under-13 boys competition, Kyle Batidzirai of Takashinga 2 leads the run scorers with 147 runs, followed by Mufudzi Ngirande of Rangers on 130 and Craig Phiri of Amakhosi on 123.

With the ball, Gladiators’ Tinashe Juma tops the wicket-taking list with 11 wickets, while Ethan Mufukwa of Takashinga 2 has nine.

In the Under-15 girls section, Nenyasha Chirume of Gladiators leads the batting charts with 164 runs, ahead of Anesu Chawasarira and Ruvarashe Maimba.

Gladiators’ Sandra Chigaramasimbe leads the bowling standings with 13 wickets, while Jessy Mutungwindu has taken eight for Takashinga 2.

Zimbabwe Cricket described the finals weekend as a chance to celebrate competition, community and emerging talent, with pride on the line as Chitungwiza and Highfield meet for silverware in both age groups.

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