Back-to-back Pro50, Logan Cup fixtures get season underway

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC)’s 2024/25 domestic season is set to get underway this weekend with back-to-back Pro50 Championship and Logan Cup matches scheduled.

Eagles will first face Southern Rocks in one-day action at Takashinga Cricket Club in Highfield on Friday, before the two sides meet in the four-day competition starting on Sunday at the same venue.

Elsewhere, Rhinos will be hosting Tuskers at Kwekwe Sports Club in Kwekwe, starting with their Pro50 Championship fixture on Friday before locking horns in the Logan Cup.

The following Pro50 Championship matches are set for Tuesday, 5 November, with Tuskers at home to Eagles at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Rhinos entertaining Mountaineers at Kwekwe Sports Club.

The same teams will meet again at the same venues for Logan Cup action beginning on Thursday, 7 November.

The next back-to-back fixtures will pit Eagles against Rhinos at Harare Sports Club and Mountaineers versus Rocks at Mutare Sports Club, with the one-day matches pencilled in for Saturday, 23 November, and the four-dayers starting two days later.

On 5 December, Mountaineers will host Tuskers at Mutare Sports Club, followed by their Logan Cup game, while on the same dates Rocks will be facing Rhinos at Takashinga Cricket Club.

After that, domestic cricket will only resume after the festive season.

The match schedule released by ZC is running up to the first week of January, with the remaining fixtures set to be confirmed in due course.

Last season, Eagles totally dominated the Pro50 Championship, winning seven of their eight round-robin matches and then beating Rhinos by five wickets in the final.

The provincial first-class honours went to Mountaineers, who won four, drew one, lost one and had two no-result matches to finish top of the 2023/24 Logan Cup standings.

Meanwhile, ZC has confirmed the coaching staff for the new campaign.

Erick Chauluka remains in charge as head coach at Eagles, with Chamunorwa Chibhabha doubling up as assistant coach team and manager.

Walter Chawaguta will be deputised by Chris Mpofu at Tuskers, while Adam Chifo will be assisted by Alois Tichana at Rhinos.

Both Mpofu and Tichana will also double up as team managers.

There will be a new but familiar face in charge at Mountaineers this season, with Stephen Mangongo returning as head coach and Thabo Mboyi coming in as the assistant coach/manager.

Njabulo Ncube has taken over the reins at Rocks, where their veteran player Tendai Chisoro now assumes a new role as assistant coach/manager.

For the full 2024/25 domestic season fixtures, please see the Zimbabwe Cricket mobile app, which is free to download and available across both iOS and Android devices.

ZC press release