Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH tails between their legs, Zimbabwe’s Young Chevrons trooped back to Harare to try and salvage at least a win in their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign.
The hosts played their first Super Six stage assignment against giants India and were left badly bruised following a 204-run defeat at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
That defeat on Tuesday left the team drained, both physically and mentally, all the while staring at an underwhelming World Cup campaign as hosts.
Given the short turnaround, the Zimbabwe camp don’t have much time before their next and final World Cup Super Six encounter against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
However, that didn’t stop coach Elton Chigumbura and his charges from taking a moment to reflect.
In particular, the defeat to India was hard to stomach.
“It was a physically and mentally demanding game, so naturally the boys are disappointed,” said Chigumbura.
“However, I’m proud of how they have handled it.
“They have stayed together, supported each other, and we are already shifting focus to the next challenge.
“The morale in the camp remains steady and professional,” he said.
Heavy defeats to Pakistan, England and India have wrecked the Young Chevrons’ campaign.
The game against India showcased the huge gulf that currently exists between Zimbabwe and the game’s giants.
India completely dominated both innings, first setting the hosts a target of 353 runs and then bowling them out for 148.
Despite the big defeat to India, Chigumbura believes there were some positives and important lessons to take away from the encounter.
“There were some positives, particularly in our fight and competitiveness in certain phases of the match,” he said.
“We showed we can stand up against strong opposition.
“The main areas we will keep working on are consistency in execution, decision-making under pressure, and converting good starts into match-winning performances
“Those are the small margins at this level.”
Chigumbura, however, did not shy away from giving India their dues.
“India were very clinical in key moments,” he said.
“I felt the game shifted during the middle phases, where we let momentum slip slightly — both in building batting partnerships and in containing their scoring — and, at this level, a few overs can change the game. “India managed those moments better.”
With the defeat now in the rear-view mirror, attention turns to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are not a far cry from India, as they also possess a potent bowling and batting attack.
“Bangladesh are a well-drilled side, with strong spin resources and good game awareness,” said the Zimbabwe coach.
“They will present a different challenge, but one we are preparing for carefully.
“We want to finish this stage strongly and play positive cricket,” he said.
The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup has since reached its business end with teams tussling for semi-final berths.
India and England currently occupy the top two slots in Group Two with six points each. The Asians top the group due to a superior net-run-rate.
Pakistan are third on four points and have an outside chance of usurping one of the two going into the final round of games.
England will be in action tomorrow when they play New Zealand at Queens Sports Club, while India and Pakistan square up on Sunday at the same venue.
The match between fourth-placed Bangladesh (1) and the hosts Zimbabwe (0) will be sandwiched between the two games.
With Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe out of contention, the race for the semi-finals has since turned into a three-team affair.
