Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEW Zealand arrived with quiet purpose, their Under-19 men stepping onto Zimbabwean soil as the third team to report for duty ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, an event Zimbabwe will co-host with Namibia.
The New Zealand squad touched down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Saturday, marking the build-up to a global tournament scheduled from January 15 to February 6.
They follow Afghanistan and Pakistan, the first two sides to arrive in the country. Both teams are currently involved in a Youth One-Day International Tri-Series in Harare against the Young Chevrons as part of their final preparations.
Arrivals are set to accelerate over the coming days, with most nations expected in Zimbabwe as the week unfolds. Warm-up fixtures are lined up for the end of the week.
New Zealand begin that process on Saturday when they face the Elton Chigumbura-mentored Zimbabwe Under-19 side in a warm-up match at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
They remain in Bulawayo for their second and final warm-up fixture against Pakistan at the same venue on Tuesday, January 13, days before the opening ball.
The World Cup will feature sixteen teams competing across 41 matches, with the final scheduled for February 6 at Harare Sports Club.
Opening-day fixtures include India against the United States, Zimbabwe facing Scotland, and Tanzania making their first appearance against the West Indies.
Matches will be staged at five venues across the two host nations. In Zimbabwe, games will be played at Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club and Queens Sports Club. Namibia will host matches at the Namibia Cricket Ground and the HP Oval.
The format sees teams divided into four groups of four, progressing to a Super Six stage before the semi-finals and the title match in Harare.
Defending champions Australia begin their campaign on day two in Windhoek against Ireland. One of the early headline clashes will see India face Bangladesh on January 17 in Bulawayo.
Ten teams secured automatic qualification through their performances at the 2024 edition, alongside hosts Zimbabwe. Five more sides booked their places via regional qualification tournaments.
New Zealand have been drawn in Group B together with Bangladesh, India and the United States.
Their campaign opens against the United States on January 18 at Queens Sports Club. They return to the same venue to face Bangladesh on January 20, before closing their group programme against India on January 24.
All matches are free of charge for local supporters nationwide.
