Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere, Zimpapers Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Under-19 Cricket captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere has made a declaration, telling the nation his team will fight without pause to win the World Cup trophy and bring it home to be shared proudly by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
He spoke after meeting Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday, moments after officially receiving the Under-19 Cricket World Cup trophy.
Running from January 15 to February 6, Zimbabwe will host 25 matches, including the semifinals and the final, with co-host Namibia staging the remaining 16 fixtures.
With global sporting attention fixed on Zimbabwe, Acting President Chiwenga said he hoped the tournament would spark a fire of sporting excellence and inspire local youths to chase international success.
The Acting President urged the team to give everything and claim the trophy for Zimbabwe.
Mudzengerere responded with confidence, assuring him that the players would deliver on that challenge.
“I have just met the Acting President of Zimbabwe and it was such a good moment.
“He gave words of encouragement and I think we will be able to lift the trophy for Zimbabwe and I promise we will give something that has never been done by the Zimbabwe U19 before.
“We are going to lift the trophy,” said Mudzengerere.
New Zealand captain Tom Jones struck a similar tone of belief, saying his squad arrives with experience and players who know what this stage demands.
“We arrived about five days ago and we have settled in Harare and we are really enjoying Zimbabwe, it’s a beautiful country.
“I think we have got a nice side, we have three guys who are returning from the last World Cup. We are really excited and hopefully it will be a good World Cup for us,” said Jones.
England skipper Farhan Ahmed praised the quality of Zimbabwe’s pitches, saying the conditions have left his side eager for the competition ahead.
He also spoke warmly about meeting Acting President Chiwenga, describing the moment as a special honour for his team.
“We have met the (Acting) President of Zimbabwe, which is a great honour for us,” said Ahmed.
“So far, we have enjoyed the hospitality, which is very good and welcoming for everyone and the pitches have been good, a good change of conditions.”
