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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia will compete in the second edition of the Under-14 Old Mutual Heath Streak Africa T20 Cricket Cup that starts from August 12-15.

The tournament will be held at the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy in Bulawayo.

The academy’s chief executive officer Joseph Rego said participating teams were selected in a draw.

“The inaugural tournament was held in 2015 with the aim being to expose developing young cricketers to a quality tournament with an international feel.

This tournament is also a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talents and develop their skills. We’re really excited and looking forward to the competition.

“When we started this tournament in 2015, we had three countries and for this year’s edition, eight nations, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique have confirmed their participation in Zimbabwe’s mini-IPL of which four nations were finally selected by a way of a lucky draw,” said Rego.

South Africa, who took part in the first edition, will miss out.

Other countries that competed at the inaugural edition are Botswana and winners Zimbabwe.

Rego said the countries that will compete in this year’s edition will run under the following franchises, defending champions Fazak Zimbabwe, Choppies Botswana and Pepsi Zambia. The organisers are still waiting for a corporate to take up Namibia’s franchise.

Zimbabwe senior national cricket coach Heath Streak and local cricketers, who include national team skipper Graeme Cremer, spin bowler John Nyumbu, Sean Williams and pace bowler Christopher Mpofu, are among guests expected to attend the tournament.

Rego said the highlight of the competition will be on August 15 when the Africa Cup winners play an exhibition game against the Old Mutual Heath Streak Development team selected from 20 top cricket playing schools from Bulawayo’s high density suburbs.

@ZililoR