Online Reporter
IF there is one word Elton Chigumbura keeps returning to as Zimbabwe step into the Under 19 World Cup spotlight, it is resilience.
On the eve of the tournament’s first ball, the former national captain did not soften the message or hide behind process. He said this team wants to shock the world.
“The energy and confidence is high in camp,” Chigumbura said on Tuesday at Takashinga Sports Club, hours before final preparations wrapped up. “We have to hit the ground running in the first game. Momentum will be key. We want it early. We want to shock the world.”
Those words land against a bruising backdrop. Zimbabwe were hammered by 114 runs by New Zealand in their final warm up match on Monday, a loss that exposed gaps with both bat and ball. It was not pretty, and it was not ignored inside the camp.
But Chigumbura framed the defeat as familiar territory rather than fatal damage. He pointed to a build up shaped by pressure games, collapses, recoveries, and long debriefs, the kind that force young players to confront themselves.
“The biggest takeaway from this build up is that the boys now understand their roles,” he said. “They’ve built resilience, especially under pressure. In a couple of games, when things were going against us, they stood up.”
That, Chigumbura insisted, was no accident. Training sessions were designed to trap players in difficult scenarios and see who could think, adapt, and fight their way out.
“It’s not always about playing well,” he said. “It’s about how you adapt when you’re under pressure. We’re not always going to play the perfect game. But when you see players fighting in tough moments, that’s when you see the value of the work.”
Zimbabwe open their campaign tomorrow against Scotland at Takashinga Sports Club, a venue that has become a symbol of the country’s growing cricket footprint. Across the country in Bulawayo, India face the United States at Queens Sports Club, while in Namibia, tournament debutants Tanzania take on the West Indies.
The 16th edition of the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup runs from January 15 to February 6, split between Zimbabwe and Namibia. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups, with 24 matches in the group stage alone. The top three teams in each group progress to the Super Six stage, while the fourth placed sides move into placement matches.
From there, the tournament tightens quickly. Points and net run rate earned against fellow Super Six qualifiers are carried forward, a format that punishes slow starts and rewards early authority. Semi finals are scheduled for February 3 and 4 at Queens Sports Club and Harare Sports Club, with the final set for February 6 in Harare.
Australia arrive as defending champions after lifting the title in 2024 and now sit just one trophy behind India in the all time standings. Pakistan remain the only side to have won back to back titles, in 2004 and 2006. West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and England have each lifted the cup once.
Off the field, the tournament carries a strong local imprint. Seventeen umpires and four match referees from 13 countries have been appointed, including former Zimbabwe international Forster Mutizwa and Iknow Chabi.
The officiating team also includes former West Indies player Deighton Butler and England’s Graham Lloyd, whose father David Lloyd was a respected umpire before becoming a broadcaster.
For Zimbabwe, though, the focus stays narrow. Chigumbura believes the lessons of recent pain matter more than history or rankings.
“They’ve been here before,” he said. “They’ll stay calm. They’ll know what they need to do. How they handle themselves in those moments will decide how far we go.”
The World Cup begins tomorrow. Zimbabwe step in carrying scars, belief, and a promise that dares the cricket world to pay attention − Zimpapers Sports Hub/ICC
