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THE Africa T20 Cup tournament underway in South Africa will provide an important platform to groom Zimbabwe’s emerging cricketers into future international stars.
Stephen Mangongo is in charge of the Zimbabwe side for the Twenty20 tournament and six of his players were part of the country’s team at the 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup which he also coached.
“We are looking to give an international platform and exposure to young guys who have graduated from our Under-19 World Cup side,” Mangongo said.
“It’s vital to create a pathway for these talented youngsters . . . it’s not about immediate results.”
The Africa T20 Cup, organised by Cricket South Africa, involves South African provincial teams and national representative sides from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Pool C of this year’s tournament and begin their campaign with a fixture against Free State at Buffalo Park in the coastal city of East London today.
The match starts at 1245 hours (local time).
Tomorrow, Zimbabwe take on Border in a day-night encounter scheduled for 1630 hours, before they face Easterns the following day in their last group fixture starting at 0945 hours.
Both matches will be played at Buffalo Park.
Participating teams were drawn into four groups and only the pool winners will proceed to the semi-finals pencilled in for September 30.
Six of Zimbabwe’s squad — William Mashinge, Jeremy Ives, Ryan Murray, Brandon Mavuta, Rugare Magarira and Richard Ngarava — played at this year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
The emerging side will, however, look to captain Shingi Masakadza and Peter Joseph Moor for leadership, with Wellington Masakadza and Timycen Maruma also providing some vital international experience to the team.
Bothwell Chapungu, George Banda and Tendai Maruma complete the official 13-man squad, while the duo of Milton Shumba and Dion Mazhawidza are on standby as the reserves.
“They are a talented bunch and with the leadership of Shingi in the bowling department and PJ in batting, they have good and disciplined mentors,” Mangongo said.
Prosper Utseya is Mangongo’s assistant, while Nick Singo is the Zimbabwe team manager.
Zimbabwe squad
George Banda, William Mashinge, PJ Moor, Shingi Masakadza (capt), Jeremy Ives, Ryan Murray, Tendai Maruma, Timycen Maruma, Brendon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Rugare Magarira, Bothwell Chapungu, Richard Ngarava
Reserves: Milton Shumba, Dion Mazhawidza. — Zimcricket.
Online Reporter