Masakadza continues to inspire budding cricketers

The batsman is back in the National Premier League (NPL) playing for reigning champions Takashinga Patriots 1.

Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Hamilton Masakadza has maintained his passion for the sport and continues to inspire budding cricketers as he continues to play in the domestic league for his boyhood club, Takashinga.

The batsman is back in the National Premier League (NPL) playing for reigning champions Takashinga Patriots 1.

Masakadza is a veteran of 38 Test matches for Zimbabwe, 209 One-Day Internationals and 66 T20Is. He is still fit and is keen to add to his 140 domestic top-flight appearances, 345 List A matches and 120 T20s.

He missed some of the early stages of the NPL but he was never grumpy and retained the same qualities that made him a successful cricketer during his active career.

As he prepares to play his third match of the season today at Masvingo Sports Club in Masvingo against Queens Cricket Club, Masakadza talks about what drives him and what has kept him involved in local cricket long after his retirement from international cricket.

“I think the experience helps the younger guys who are breaking through at all the teams in the NPL,” Masakadza told The Sports Hub.

“I think it’s very important that all our experienced players play in the NPL and that we help the youngsters to do well together with them.”

In his first match of the season, Masakadza scored 25 runs in 27 balls in Patriots 1’s 82-run win over Rainbow Cricket Club at Alex Sports Club in Harare.

This was followed by an unbeaten run of eight runs from nine balls in their midweek match against Chitungwiza-based Gladiators Cricket Club at home in Highfield.

Patriots 1 are in second place with one game remaining, 10 points behind leaders Westside, while their sister club Takashinga Patriots 2 are in third place.

“Happy to be back playing NPL. I was never really looking to be honest. It’s just that when we have a team at full strength, we have such a good, strong team that I have to make way for the younger guys, the guys who are still playing professionally,” Masakadza added.

“But now that some of the guys are away on national duty, like they were with the Test team and the preparations for India, and some of the guys are also away with the upcoming team, then there are some gaps in the team and I can get some game time.”

Tapiwa Mufudza has been phenomenal with the ball so far in the NPL season.

The spinner has registered three five-wicket hauls and two consecutive ones; five for 15 in six overs against Strikers last weekend and five for 18 in nine overs against Gladiators in midweek.

“My absence from the first matches was simply because everyone was still available.

“We have such a strong team that if everyone is available, there is no room for guys like me. But when the national team is busy and the upcoming side is busy, those places open up a little bit,” he said.

“Queens played well, so I think we can beat them by playing our natural game. Be a little confident and count on the experienced players like Timycen Maruma and Mufudza to guide the team through.”

Queens Cricket Club are in eighth place with 40 points, 20 behind Takashinga Patriots 1.

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