Gladiators and Takashinga have emerged as the early pacesetters across Zimbabwe Cricket's Age Group National Premier League after another weekend of impressive performances in week two of the junior competition.
The Age Group NPL, launched as an extension of the senior men's and women's National Premier League, is designed to provide junior cricketers with regular, high-quality competition and a clear progression route through the age groups.
The current phase features the under-13 boys and under-15 girls competitions, each split into zone 1 and zone 2, with the under-17 boys and under-17 girls competitions to follow once the lower age-group tournaments are complete, creating a feeder system into Zimbabwe's under-19 and academy structures.
In the under-13 boys zone 1, Gladiators made it two wins from two to remain in firm control, beating Rangers by eight wickets at Alex Sports Club. Takashinga 1 responded with a nine-wicket victory over Alex at Harare Sports Club to keep themselves in touch.
Gladiators lead the group on four points, with Takashinga 1 and Alex both on two.
Takashinga 2 maintained their own perfect start in under-13 zone 2, beating Amakhosi by seven wickets at Kwekwe Sports Club, while Rimuka added further pressure on the standings with an eight-wicket win over Queens Sports Club in Kadoma. Takashinga 2 sit top of the zone on four points, with Amakhosi and Rimuka level on two.
The under-15 girls competition produced some of the weekend's standout results. Gladiators delivered a commanding 236-run victory over Rangers at Harare Sports Club in zone 1 to remain unbeaten and move to four points, while Takashinga 1 recorded an important four-wicket win over Alex to sit second on two points, ahead of Alex on net run rate.
In zone 2, Takashinga 2 continued their strong campaign with an eight-wicket win over Amakhosi, while Queens beat Rimuka by 13 runs in Kadoma, leaving Takashinga 2 top on four points and Amakhosi and Queens both on two.
Individual performances continue to highlight the depth of talent emerging through the pathway. Mufudzi Ngirande leads the under-13 boys run charts with 82 runs, ahead of Kyle Batidzirai on 80 and Ryan Munetsi on 74. In the under-15 girls section, Anesu Chawasarira remains the leading scorer with 112 runs, ahead of Nenyasha Chirume and Ruvarashe Maimba, who are both on 90.
With the ball, Tinashe Juma has claimed 10 wickets for Gladiators in the under-13 boys competition, while Sandra Chigaramasimbe leads the under-15 girls standings with 10 wickets for Takashinga 2.
