Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH the clock ticking toward the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Zimbabwe’s preparations are starting to take shape.
The Young Chevrons have been testing themselves against provincial sides, a schedule they believe is sharpening them for the global event that Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host from January 15.
Their latest run out came in a two day match against Southern Rocks at Old Hararians Sports Club.
It was a mixed showing.
They struggled with the bat and were dismissed for 79 in 27.4 overs, yet they found some spark with the ball.
Benny Zuze picked up five wickets to help bowl out the Rocks for 188.
By Saturday afternoon, the match looked set for another draw, with Zimbabwe Under-19 on 107 for 4 and only two runs behind after a steady 70 run stand between Kian Blignaut and Simbarashe Mudzengerere.
Zimbabwe will carry a heavy share of the tournament load.
Sixty one percent of the World Cup fixtures will be played on home soil.
Out of 41 matches, excluding warm up games, 25 will take place in the country.
Harare Sports Club will host the final on February 6, although it will not stage any group games.
Its first contest comes on January 26 when the fourth-placed teams from Groups B and C meet.
Group matches in Zimbabwe will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.
The two semi-finals will be split between Queens and Harare Sports Club, with Bulawayo hosting the first one before the title match heads to the capital.
Sixteen teams will battle across the five venues in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The opening day features India against the USA, Zimbabwe against Scotland, and Tanzania facing the West Indies in their first ever appearance.
The format moves from a group stage into a Super Six round before the semis and the final in Harare.
Defending champions Australia start their title defence against Ireland in Windhoek. India and Bangladesh square off on January 17 in Bulawayo in one of the early marquee games.
Ten teams qualified automatically based on their 2024 standings, joining hosts Zimbabwe, while five more came through regional qualifiers.
It marks a growing global spread in the Under-19 pathway.
Zimbabwe have been placed in Group C alongside England, Pakistan and Scotland.
2026 ICC Men’s 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
