TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 captain Roy Kaia wants to put his team’s place in the annals of Zimbabwe cricket history by winning a second successive trophy for the season.
The Highfield-based side won the National Premier League (NPL) 45-overs competition last month and wants to add the NPL T20 Blast trophy to their cabinet.
However, for that to happen, Takashinga 1 needs to beat Uprising Cricket Club in the Eliminator, which will be played under lights at Harare Sports Club.
The winner of that match will then battle it out with the loser of the Qualifier between Takashinga Patriots 2 and Gladiators Cricket Club.
It is Chitungwiza versus Highfields.
With pride at stake, Kaia is banking on the experience within his team, the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Richard Ngarava, Innocent Kaia and Tapiwa Mufudza, among others.
Kaia knows that for Takashinga 1 to win the NPL T20 Blast, they must win two games in the playoffs plus the final. He accepts the challenge.
“When we won the 45 overs competition, nobody gave us a chance as we were languishing fourth on the table, but with our experienced players, we managed to win the games towards the business end of the tournament,” he told EnterSportNews.
“None can bet against us doing it again; we have the firepower within our batting lineup and the bowlers to defend whatever total we put on the table.”
It seems like the tag “fading giants” has infuriated the Takashinga hierarchy, and they want to put the record straight and remind everyone that they are still the club to beat on the domestic scene.
With the weight of history on Kaia’s shoulders, they want to make it right by dominating the revamped domestic club cricket scene.
“We are the pioneers of black cricket in the country; those who formed Takashinga before I was here have bequeathed this club to us, and the least we can do is to thank them by winning trophies,” added Kaia.
“Whilst we acknowledge the work being done in Chitungwiza, we have to remind them who is the big brother by putting in big performances and winning this tournament.”
Kaia turned 32 on Tuesday, and his birthday wish is to lift another trophy and make the Highfield community happy again.
“My only wish is to hold that T20 Blast trophy in my hands and make the Highfield community happy again; that would be the perfect birthday present,” quipped Kaia.
Takashinga typically loans some of its players to other clubs, but this season, they mean business as everyone has been playing for their parent club.
In creating a development pathway, Zimbabwe Cricket has revamped the domestic club structure and poured financial resources into the local game.
All four teams that have made it to the NPL T20 Blast play-offs will walk away with cash prizes, winners getting USD20 000, runners-up – USD10 000, and numbers three and four will walk away with USD 5000 and USD 2500, respectively.
Thursday Play-offs Fixtures.
2 pm, Qualifier, Gladiators vs Takashinga 2
6 pm, Eliminator, Uprising vs Takashinga 1
All matches will be played at Harare Sports Club.
