The Logan Cup is the ultimate domestic first-class competition of Zimbabwe. It began all the way back in 1903. It was started by James Douglas Jordan who was one of the first pioneers of cricket in Africa.
When it began in 1903, the tournament was played as an interprovincial event between teams from Matabaleland, Mashonaland, Manicaland, and Midlands. However, these tournaments were not held consistently and remained in an irregular rhythm till the early 1980s.
When Zimbabwe was officially recognised as a test playing nation in 1992, the Logan Cup was also elevated by the International Cricket Council to gain a first-class status. The period of the Logan Cup between 1993 to 2009 saw Zimbabwe’s first-class structure take a new shape. Held annually, it became a primer for most players to make it to the national side.
In 2009, the reorganization of Zimbabwe Cricket led to the provincial teams be replaced by franchise sides. The current sides are Mountaineers, Mid West Rhinos, Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, and Southern Rocks. The tournament is now held annually.
As per the current format, each team plays the other twice in a double round-robin format. Teams earns 10 points for a win, 6 for a tie, 5 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. If a team wins by a margin of an innings, then they are awarded two additional bonus points. Moreover, one bonus point is awarded to a side for crossing 200, 250, 300, and 350 runs in an innings. Furthermore, bowling bonus points are earned if bowlers can claim 3, 5, 7, and 9 wickets in an innings. At the end of the league stage, the team with the most points is crowned the champion.
Before 2009, Mashonaland was the most successful side having won the title nine times. Ever since the franchise teams kicked in, the Matabeleland Tuskers have won the title a record five times. Craig Ervine, Grant Flower, Hamilton Masakadza are the only batters to have twice finished as the highest run-scorers in the tournament. Donald Tripano, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, John Rennie, and Tapiwa Mufudza have finished as the highest wicket-takers twice each.
