Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE men’s Under-19 national cricket team head coach Elton Chigumbura believes the hard lessons drawn from recent setbacks are shaping a sharper, better prepared side ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup, which the country will co-host with Namibia.
For Chigumbura, this build up is not about comfort. It is about exposure, clarity and growth under pressure.
Zimbabwe are currently competing in a Youth One Day International tri-series against Afghanistan and Pakistan in Harare, a competition designed to mirror the intensity they will face on the global stage next year. The series began on Christmas Day with the Young Chevrons scheduled to face Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club, but persistent rain in the capital forced the match to be abandoned.
All three teams are using the series as a final stretch of preparation for the World Cup, with each fixture offering a chance to test depth, discipline and temperament.
Speaking on the Zimbabwe Cricket ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Podcast with Dean du Plessis, Chigumbura reflected on the July Tri-series in Harare against South Africa, where his side endured a difficult run, losing all six matches.
The former Chevrons captain insists those results became a turning point rather than a setback.
“When you lose games that’s where you learn the most, we take it as a learning curve. There are some areas, that even as the technical team, we don’t do well on and we tried to rectify those things after the Tri-Series.
“When it comes to the players, they understood the standard that they are going to be facing. There were some technical issues that we needed to adjust and correct. In terms of playing, competitive and intense cricket, it was all displayed during that Tri-Series, which gave us a better understanding,” said Chigumbura.
He believes exposure, rather than instruction, finally bridged the gap between expectation and reality for his players.
“Sometimes when you talk to the players, when they don’t go through it, it’s hard for them to understand. The way we played in that Tri-Series, they ended up understanding where we were coming from in terms of the standard we wanted to have and continue to have so that it becomes a habit of being professional, looking after your own space, and playing their natural game according to the role that you are given in the team.
“All those things were takeouts from the Tri-Series and we got better after the Tri-Series, we ended up playing franchises where we had a couple of guys scoring hundreds against First Class teams. We had a couple of bowlers who got fifers against First Class teams.”
Since that series, Zimbabwe’s Under 19s have maintained a heavy workload, taking on several First Class opponents to harden both skills and mindset.
Chigumbura is encouraged by the direction his squad is taking
“Before the World Cup, we are going to face Afghanistan and Pakistan. The guys have had international exposure, and in the domestic games that we have been playing were tough. We played some franchises, Under 23 teams. It has been quite good.
“The way we have been heading and getting ready, there is improvement all the time. Now, it’s just a matter of going out there, showcasing our talent, showcasing our mettle and I believe this group will go far because they have prepared so well,” he said.
The second match of the tri-series was played yesterday, with Afghanistan facing Pakistan at Harare Sports Club.
Action now shifts to Prince Edward School on December 29, where Zimbabwe will meet Pakistan, before the hosts return to Sunrise Sports Club on New Year’s Eve to take on Afghanistan.
Afghanistan and Pakistan will clash again on January 2 at Sunrise Sports Club, while the final round robin fixture is set for Old Hararians Sports Club two days later, with Zimbabwe facing Pakistan.
The top two teams on the points table will advance to the tri-series final, scheduled for January 6 at Old Hararians Sports Club.
The ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup will run from January 15 to February 6 and feature 16 nations, including debutants Tanzania. Matches in Zimbabwe will be staged at Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Cricket Club and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, while Namibia will host fixtures in Windhoek.
In the lead up to the tournament, the World Cup trophy will tour Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare from January 4 to 7.
Drawn in Group C alongside England, Pakistan and Scotland, Zimbabwe will play all their group matches at Takashinga Cricket Club. They open their campaign against Scotland on January 15, face England on January 18 and conclude the group stage against Pakistan on January 22. —@brandon_malvin
