EMERGING Zimbabwe Women's cricket team all-rounder, Beloved Biza's exploits on the field of play have not gone unnoticed as the diminutive star has inspired a wave of developments within her school.
She may be short, but her influence in the game of cricket stands taller than the biblical Goliath, with the shrewdness of David. Her school, Herentals Group of Colleges, has initiated plans to launch a cricket academy at her campus in Chitungwiza.
Biza's cricket journey is only four years old, yet she plays with the maturity of someone with over a decade of experience.
The former St Aidans Primary scholar credits trailblazing Zimbabwe Cricket development coach, Malcolm Chikuhwa for her success thus far. While at St Aidan's she started off playing for the Colts boys, the girls' team before eventually making it into the boys' first squad.
This hardening process by the unassuming yet very humble gaffer, Chikuhwa prepared her for the tough times ahead, gladly she managed through these turbulent times and made her national team debut in January at the age of 15.
"I started playing cricket four years ago at St Aidan's while in Grade 6. I think they teach us to work hard," Biza told Standardsport.
"Every day you would spend the whole day at practice playing cricket so I think that's the reason why the game is on the up in Chitungwiza and the same goes for male's cricket."
Biza was thrown into the deep in last year's senior ladies' tour of India and found herself in a proverbial lion's den but she emerged out of it unscathed.
- Lady Chevrons duo out of Ireland series
- Kelis leaves trail of destruction in Rwanda
- Biza inspires establishment of cricket academy in Chitungwiza
- Lady Chevrons starlet Biza wins over her father
Keep Reading
"I wasn't expecting to play in that tour, but the opportunity came through and I just had to make the best of it because you never know doors may open only once in life," she said.
"There are senior guys in the team, who proffer support, correcting me every time I seem to be struggling with my game. At first, I was afraid to socialise with the older guys, but the moment I got in camp with them I realised they're good people, very sociable and we do relate well with each other, there are no babies in the squad."
Her teammate in the national team and Under-19 skipper, Kelis Ndhlovu also passed through St Aidan. Their batting partnership that has been the mainstay of the Under-19s was not by coincidence, the ingredients from Chitungwiza which forms part of their DNA continue to influence performance for the nation.
She is also happy that at school there are people who value her contribution.
"Everything is going well at school. I get a lot of encouragement and support everyone wants to see me do well in cricket," she added.
Her words to the aspiring girl cricketers are "Hard work, confidence and self-introspection," Biza said.
"One should always back themselves up to be at the top."
Meanwhile, Herentals Group of Colleges' regional head, Zebediah Muronzi confirmed a banquet has been organised by the institute to honour Biza's talent.
Her ingenuity has seen the school ably represented at the local, regional, and international platforms while she turns out for the Zimbabwe senior women's national team and the Zimbabwe Women Under-19s.
"We would like to launch a cricket academy and honour one of our learners, Beloved Biza who has managed to break into the Zimbabwe Women's cricket team at the tender age of 15 and also plays for the Under-19 side this coming Friday at our Chitungwiza campus," Muronzi said.
"Every day you spend the whole day at practice playing cricket so I think that's the reason why the game is on the up.
This day we intend to offer her a scholarship and also launch an academy to give other kids from underprivileged backgrounds like her an opportunity to develop their talents and have a better tomorrow."
Biza caught the eye of her school during the recently ended Zimbabwe Women's Under-19 tour of Namibia. The all-rounder was in a scintillating form inspiring the locals to a 6-0 whitewash against the hosts.
She was particularly impressive with the bat where she top scored in all but only two matches earning both the player of the tournament awards.
The football midfield magician-cum cricket all-rounder, Biza draws her inspiration from a senior partner, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, an ever-green top-order batter.
