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Sports Reporter
IN a move meant to reduce expenses, Zimbabwe Cricket has postponed the end of season National Cricket League from April to August. The country’s top clubs compete in the National Cricket League which starts just after the end of franchise cricket. “Our operations department is currently in discussion on possible changes to the format of the National Cricket League, to make it more competitive so that playing standards are improved. We are looking at the league starting in August,” read a ZC statement.

However, impeccable sources said the fact that players’ contracts have expired and a tight budget that ZC have, have led to the postponement of the National Cricket League.

First class cricketers like Tawanda Mupariwa, Keith Dabengwa and Matabeleland Tuskers’ Logan Cup winning captain Godwill Mamhiyo are among players who have left the country to take up off-season contracts overseas.

“From what we heard ZC wants to save money and that is why the National Cricket League has been postponed. Ideally, the competition has to be done just after the last franchise games have been played so that all players participate at the games. This is done to ensure that selectors identify players that they might recommend for holiday training camps,” said a source.

Franchise cricket season will start in September and players will probably use the August National Cricket League to warm up.