Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE cricket Under-19 coach Elton Chigumbura has said he is forging a squad built not just on talent, but on toughness ahead of the upcoming ICC Under-19 cricket World Cup set to be co-hosted by Namibia and this country.
The nation’s junior cricketers are undergoing a final, fiery examination with an important tri-series against Asian powerhouses Pakistan and Afghanistan expected to help Chigumbura assess the strides they have made.
“I am very satisfied with our preparation,” said Chigumbura.
As crucial practice matches commence, the focus sharpens to a point, game awareness, executing skills under pressure, and sharpening our plans in all three departments.
For the coach, these clashes are a vital laboratory to test team combinations, decision-making, and adaptability.
“Our main focus areas are game awareness, executing skills under pressure, and sharpening our plans in all three departments, batting, bowling, and fielding.
“These matches are important for testing our combinations, decision-making, and adaptability in match situations,” said Chigumbura. Chigumbura, drawing from his own international career, is imparting a core lesson on the demands of consistent high-level competition.
“International cricket demands discipline, mental toughness, and the ability to learn quickly.”
His method is one of constant communication, dissecting match scenarios, ingraining professional habits, and high-lighting how minute details sway outcomes.
Above all, he wants his charges to enjoy the challenge and learn from every moment.
“Most importantly, I want them to enjoy the challenge and learn from every moment,” he said.
The squad’s internal environment, he reports, is ideal fuel for this mission.
“The team dynamics are very positive. There’s healthy competition, good unity, and a strong work ethic.”
He praised the balance of skills and emerging combinations but saved particular acclaim for the players’ growing understanding of their roles and mutual support, which are non-negotiable for tournament success.
The choice of opponents is deliberate. Pakistan and Afghanistan offer the perfect, stern examination.
“They will provide a very good test for us, which is exactly what we want,” Chigumbura said.
The tactical mandate is clear, smart decision-making, adaptability, and composure. “We want our players to be brave, trust their skills, and learn how to compete against top opposition.”
Beyond the immediate battles lies a broader vision. This tri-series, and the World Cup itself, are key way-points in a journey designed to feed the senior national team.
“Our long-term goal is to develop players who are ready for the demands of senior international cricket,” Chigumbura affirmed.
“These matches assess character, resilience, and consistency, not just talent.”
“The ultimate aim is to craft cricketers versed in professionalism, teamwork, and performing when it counts, ensuring a seamless pipeline into Zimbabwe’s cricketing future,” he said.
