THE African Associate players in Zimbabwe’s NPL T20 Blast are getting valuable preparation before the ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abuja, Nigeria, from 20 to 27 October, says National Premier League (NPL) manager Edward Rainsford.
He also believes their success could help the league attract players from beyond the continent.
Rainsford was speaking at a press conference at Harare Sports Club on Monday, six matchdays into the tournament. He said the Associate contingent will travel straight to Nigeria when the NPL ends.
“Once these players are done here, they all fly to Nigeria where they have ICC qualifiers,” he said.
“So these are possibly their best players that are going to be given a leg-up in preparation for that qualifier in Nigeria. And I think it’s just wonderful.”
With the qualifier starting a week from today, several Associate nations will arrive in Abuja with their leading players fresh from competitive T20 cricket against Zimbabwe’s domestic sides.
Nigeria all-rounder Prosper Useni is one of the players to have made the most of it. The 20-year-old has scored 102 runs and taken six wickets in five matches for Mbizo. He hit 17 off eight balls in Monday’s 61-run win over Queens. He will now play the qualifier on home soil.
Rainsford said the response from the visiting associations had been overwhelming. He gave the credit to the leadership of Zimbabwe Cricket.
“I have to give the Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Mr. Givemore Makoni and Dumisani Chisoro a lot of kudos there. Because it was their initiative to engage the African associates and allow these players to come in,” he said.
“I’m inundated with messages and phone calls about how happy those associates are about this.”
Mukuhlani is also president of the Africa Cricket Association.
Rainsford described the arrangement as a way for Zimbabwe to repay the hospitality it has received elsewhere in Africa. He also sees it as a sign that the NPL can now compete for talent beyond the continent.
“It also gives you a sense that we can actually attract more foreign players to the NPL. But also giving back. There’s been a period where Zimbabwe Cricket has also played in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and all of this,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to most of the African players they’re so happy to be here. They’re so excited to be here. And I think the inclusion is just fantastic. And it can only strengthen our relationships with the other African associations. And I hope it continues.”
Rainsford wants the league to keep widening its reach.
“I hope we garner more. I hope we get other players of interest coming from around the world as well.”
