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Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE Under-19 cricket captain Emmanuel Bawa says he wants to lead by example when the team plunges into battle at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in West Indies next month.
The youth team, which spent the festive holiday in camp, left the country shortly after lunch on Sunday, with high hopes despite disruptions caused by Covid-19 during their preparations.
Bawa, the only surviving member of Zimbabwe’s squad at the previous edition of the ICC Under-19 World Cup hosted by South Africa in 2020, was named captain of the side ahead of the upcoming global youth cricket jamboree.
The right-handed batsman has embraced the role with a positive mindset as he looks to draw inspiration from head coach Prosper Utseya and batting coach Elton Chigumbura, whom he ranks high among his childhood Zimbabwe cricket heroes.
“Honestly, the feeling is unreal because in camp we have our batting coach Elton Chigumbura, who I used to look up to as a kid, and then coach Prosper Utseya, who I also adored as a kid. So having these role models augurs well for me as captain and it just makes the feeling unreal,” said Bawa.
“One of my biggest goals is to lead well, and to lead by example. As a leader, whatever I do needs to reflect on the other boys. That for me is one of my biggest goals.
“Then the second thing, we need to go as far as possible in the tournament; be in the top eight, top two. I will be happy with that.”
Bawa celebrated his 18th birthday in camp two weeks ago.
The rising cricket star made history at the youth cricket global showpiece when he became the first black Zimbabwean batsman to score a century in the tournament in South Africa two years ago.
He was the hero for Zimbabwe when he blasted an unbeaten 105 off just 95 balls in the crucial 95-run win over Canada.
The feat meant he became only the fourth Zimbabwean to score a century in the Under-19 World Cup.
He joined the likes of Mark Vermeulen, Brendan Taylor (twice) and Malcolm Lake as the only Zimbabweans to notch up centuries in the youth global cricket tourney.
Zimbabwe went on to finish 11th in the last World Cup to secure automatic qualification for the forthcoming tournament. They are in Group C with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
Zimbabwe will kick off their campaign against Afghanistan on January 16. They will then take on Pakistan four days later and round off their group matches against Papua New Guinea on January 22.
There have been concerns about disruptions in their preparations because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The team left for the tournament without playing any international game after its tours were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Selectors had a difficult time assembling the side since there was little cricket action taking place in schools in the past two years.
However, Bawa was excited by the progress they made during their month-long bubble, where they also had opportunities to play some practice games against local select sides.
He was particularly impressed by the team bonding.
“The way we have managed to gel even in the face of the obvious circumstances of Covid-19; we have just managed to be a unit. I think it’s one thing I would say is outstanding from my point of view. The bubble has helped us even more with the gelling and it’s been a lovely experience. I would like to believe we are ready as we trained hard in the last few weeks as a group.
“I have been trying to tick the boxes that we have set as a team to look forward to and I would like to believe we have been giving it our all. I think we stand a chance of executing the game plan the coaches have given us,” said Bawa.
The side arrived in Barbados yesterday and will conduct its first practice session today. It will engage in a triangular series against Ireland and the USA from tomorrow, and will play each of the teams twice before departing for St Kitts and Nevis on Monday.
The side will play two more friendly warm-up games against reigning champions Bangladesh and Canada between January 9 and 11.
Zimbabwe will set their final base in Trinidad and Tobago, where they play their World Cup group games against Afghanistan, PNG and Pakistan from January 16-22.
Sixteen teams are taking part in the tournament and they have been drawn into four groups.
Reigning champions Bangladesh, England, Canada and the United Arab Emirates make up Group A.
India, Ireland, South Africa and Uganda are in Group B while Group D has Scotland, Australia, Sri Lanka and hosts West Indies.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the Super League stage, while the bottom two drop to contest for the Plate.
Zimbabwe Under-19 squad
Emmanuel Bawa (captain), Brian Bennett (vice-captain), David Bennett, Victor Chirwa, Mgcini Dube, Alex Falao, Tendekai Mataranyika, Tashinga Makoni, Connor Mitchell, Steven Saul, Matthew Schonken, Panashe Taruvinga, Matthew Welch, Rogan Wolhuter, Ngenyasha Zvinoera
Non-travelling reserves: Aisha Chibanda, Tanaka Zvaita, Luyanda Mtomba, Tadiwanashe Mwale, Declan Rugg
Online Reporter