Sports / Cricket
Zimbabwe cricketers shine in India
23 Nov 2013 at 23:15hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's star shone the brightest during the recently held Indian Premier Corporate League (IPCL) after the four-man contingent walked away with accolades for a stellar performance.
The four, who included former national team all-rounder Admire Manyumwa, Royal Cricket Club batsman Ngonidzashe Mupamba, veteran Mohamed Bala and coach Sylvester Mutusva, were part of the Indian Blues team that won its maiden title.
Mupamba's 52 runs off 39 balls in the final against Indian Jawans earned him the man-of-the-match award while Manyumwa was voted the best fielder of the tournament.
For his part in the success, Mutusva earned himself the coach-of-the-tournament accolade.
Unfortunately, Bala did not attain any individual accolade but came back home with a winner's medal.
The trio, from Chitungwiza Ramah Sports Academy, brought home trophies and certificates.
Cromen Zinyama, the chief operations officer of the Africa Twenty20 Cricket Federation, an affiliate of the International Twenty20 Cricket Federation and also the co-founder of Ramah Sports Academy, said the three men's success paves way for more Zimbabweans to play abroad and next year the academy could send more players to India.
He also said sending players to India is the beginning of bigger things in local cricket as they aim to spread the gentlemen's game across the country and reach out to the remote areas and underprivileged players who love the game.
"It is the beginning of bigger things in our local cricket. As Ramah Sports Academy, we want to take Twenty20 cricket to the rural areas and give players there exposure and the opportunity to play at the highest level.
"This organisation is here to stay and we are aiming to have our own village cricket competitions, Zimbabwe Premier Church League, Corporate League and Bankers League as well as engage other sports," said Zinyama.
The Chitungwiza-based academy hosted Zambia's Alpha Academy in an Under-16 tournament last year in April and Zinyama said next year they will be ready to participate in the International Cricket League in India although the dates are yet to be advised. This tournament will feature teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The four, who included former national team all-rounder Admire Manyumwa, Royal Cricket Club batsman Ngonidzashe Mupamba, veteran Mohamed Bala and coach Sylvester Mutusva, were part of the Indian Blues team that won its maiden title.
Mupamba's 52 runs off 39 balls in the final against Indian Jawans earned him the man-of-the-match award while Manyumwa was voted the best fielder of the tournament.
For his part in the success, Mutusva earned himself the coach-of-the-tournament accolade.
Unfortunately, Bala did not attain any individual accolade but came back home with a winner's medal.
Cromen Zinyama, the chief operations officer of the Africa Twenty20 Cricket Federation, an affiliate of the International Twenty20 Cricket Federation and also the co-founder of Ramah Sports Academy, said the three men's success paves way for more Zimbabweans to play abroad and next year the academy could send more players to India.
He also said sending players to India is the beginning of bigger things in local cricket as they aim to spread the gentlemen's game across the country and reach out to the remote areas and underprivileged players who love the game.
"It is the beginning of bigger things in our local cricket. As Ramah Sports Academy, we want to take Twenty20 cricket to the rural areas and give players there exposure and the opportunity to play at the highest level.
"This organisation is here to stay and we are aiming to have our own village cricket competitions, Zimbabwe Premier Church League, Corporate League and Bankers League as well as engage other sports," said Zinyama.
The Chitungwiza-based academy hosted Zambia's Alpha Academy in an Under-16 tournament last year in April and Zinyama said next year they will be ready to participate in the International Cricket League in India although the dates are yet to be advised. This tournament will feature teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Source - Zimpapers
