NPL 2025
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 11:02 am
https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/all-set- ... -kick-off/
All set for August NPL kick-off
randon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S flagship club cricket competition, the National Premier League (NPL), is back for its fifth edition, and it promises more action, more teams and new rivalries.
The 2025 tournament is set to bowl off during the first weekend of August, with 14 teams, including five debutants, gearing up for a fierce battle for supremacy.
According to the provisional schedule, this season’s NPL will get underway on the weekend of August 2 and 3.
The five newcomers to the country’s premier club competition are Amakhosi Cricket Club 2, Alex Sports Club, Chiredzi Cricket Club, Eastern Titans, and Methane Lions, all eager to make a statement in their maiden appearances.
Amakhosi Cricket Club 2 became the third team from Bulawayo to qualify for this year’s edition after defeating Mosi Titans from Matabeleland North by four wickets in a play-off held at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) in May.
Their victory saw them join their sister side, Amakhosi Cricket Club 1, and Queens Sports Club, both regular NPL contenders, as Bulawayo’s representatives in this year’s competition.
And it’s a fiery start lined up for the City of Kings, with the two Amakhosi teams clashing in a derby showdown at BAC in the first round. It’s brother versus brother on Sunday, August 3.
Queens Sports Club, meanwhile, open their campaign with a heavyweight clash against reigning champions Takashinga Patriots 1 on the same day at Kwekwe Sports Club.
The Highfield-based outfit has dominated the NPL in recent years, winning back to back titles in 2023 and 2024. They also claimed the inaugural championship in 2020 (before the club was split into Takashinga Patriots 1 and 2). Gladiators Cricket Club were the only team to break that dominance, lifting the trophy in 2022.
Other matches on the opening weekend include Westside Cricket Club taking on Takashinga Patriots 2 at Mutare Sports Club, while Methane Lions host former champions Gladiators at Masvingo Sports Club.
The action begins on Saturday, August 2, with Mbizo Cricket Club facing SOGO Rangers at Kwekwe Sports Club. That same day, Alex Sports Club take on Eastern Titans at Alexandra Sports Club in Harare, wrapping up the opening day’s fixtures.
On Sunday, August 3, Chiredzi Cricket Club face Rimuka Cricket Club at Masvingo Sports Club, while the Amakhosi derby and the Queens Takashinga showdown round off the weekend.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) expanded the league from 10 to 14 teams in 2023, creating more opportunities for emerging clubs to test themselves at the top level.
This year’s edition is expected to run until mid September.
— @brandon_malvin
