Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH just under two months before the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup explodes into life on January 15, the Young Chevrons are sweating it out against provincial sides in a bid to sharpen every blade of grass in their game. Zimbabwe will co-host the global fiesta with Namibia and the junior side believes the tough matches lined up so far have put them in a solid position.
Their latest assignment was a bruising two-day duel against Southern Rocks at Old Hararians Sports Club. It was a test that exposed both their fragility and their fight. Zimbabwe’s youngsters collapsed for 79 runs in 27,4 overs, a display that had coaches rubbing their heads. The boys, however, responded with fire in their bellies, rolling out Southern Rocks for 188 runs. Benny Zuze was the hero of the day as he plucked a superb five-wicket haul.
By Saturday afternoon, the contest was drifting towards another draw. Zimbabwe Under-19 were on 107 for 4, trailing by only two runs. Kian Blignaut and Simbarashe Mudzengerere kept the innings alive with a gritty 70-run stand for the fourth wicket that steadied nerves and brought control back into the Under-19 dressing room.
The clock is ticking louder now as the world tournament edges closer. Zimbabwe will shoulder the bulk of the matches, hosting a massive 61 percent of the entire schedule. Out of 41 matches to be played, excluding warm-up games, 25 will be on Zimbabwean soil, while Namibia takes the rest.
Curiously, Harare Sports Club will not host any group games. The ceremonial home of cricket will only roar to life on January 26 when the number four sides from Groups B and C meet. All Zimbabwe-based group fixtures will instead be staged at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Takashinga Sports Club in Harare. The semi-finals will be split between Queens and Harare Sports Club, with Bulawayo enjoying the first crack. The final is set for February 6 at Harare Sports Club.
Sixteen teams will battle for glory across the 41 matches. The opening day promises fireworks as India face the USA, Zimbabwe take on Scotland and Tanzania make their historic World Cup debut against the West Indies. The tournament will unfold across five venues. Harare Sports Club, Takashinga and Queens will represent Zimbabwe. Namibia will use the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval.
The format remains simple and unforgiving. Four groups of four teams feed into a Super Six stage that decides the semifinalists and eventually the finalists who will fight for the crown in Harare.
Defending champions Australia begin their title defence in Windhoek, where they face Ireland on day two. One of the early blockbuster clashes will see India square off with Bangladesh on January 17 in Bulawayo. Ten teams qualified automatically based on the 2024 edition while five more punched their tickets through regional qualifiers. The broad mix shows how wide the U19 net has stretched across the globe.
Zimbabwe find themselves in Group C alongside England, Pakistan and Scotland. It is a group loaded with pedigree and reputation, yet the Young Chevrons know they cannot afford to blink on home turf. With preparations intensifying, provincial battles toughening their resolve and the nation ready to host the world, all eyes now turn to January when the real fight begins.
2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Groups
Group A: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
Group B: Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, USA
Group C: England, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa, Tanzania, West Indies
