Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Cricket have revealed that they are ready to deliver a memorable ICC Under-19 World Cup show next month.
After receiving a vote of confidence from the Government, ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani told Zimpapers Sports Hub that “it’s all systems go’’ for the staging of the junior cricket show-piece in a fortnight.
Zimbabwe is set to co-host the biennial tournament with Namibia starting on January 15 and running until February 6.
Mukuhlani, whose ZC leadership has been hard at work to prepare for the tournament also expressed excitement at being the host association.
“At Zimbabwe Cricket we are very excited to host the first-ever Under-19 World Cup on Zimbabwean soil and all hands are on deck.
“We are prepared for the tournament now,” he said.
Mukuhlani has also been charmed by the immense support they have received from the Government. The Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anslem Sanyatwe also followed up with a visit to the facilities to check on the state of preparedness before declaring that the country was ready to host the World Cup.
“We are very excited and very thankful to the ICC for giving us the bid for this World Cup. And most importantly, for the role that the Government is playing.
“And the fact that the Government has embraced the hosting of these events in a big way and to have the minister coming through to check for himself on the readiness is great,” added Mukuhlani.
The tournament will come a year before the 2027 World Cup and the domestic cricket mother body is looking forward to a successful event.
Mukuhlani believes this will unlock doors to the hosting of other major events in the next cycle of the ICC Future Tour Programs (FTP).
“For us as Zimbabwe Cricket’s administration, it’s a big step in the right direction.
“If we get this right, when the new cycle begins, 2027 to 2031, then the 2027 World Cups and the other events will start to be thrown out for bidding and other major events for the ICC.
“I think for us we have to get it right in this Under-19 World Cup.
“It’s so important for us as Zimbabwe Cricket and for the country to get it right so that when we put our bid, this becomes our reference point to say that we hosted the 2026 Men’s Under-19,” said Mukuhlani.
With 41 matches expected to be played during the tournament, Zimbabwe will host 25 matches, including the final, which is set for Harare Sports Club, while Namibia is set to host 16 matches.
Mukuhlani revealed that the facilities are now ready to host the biennial tournament.
“Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is looking good, Takashinga and Harare Sports Club are also good.
“In terms of the facilities, we are ready,” he said.
The ZC boss said the ongoing tri-series between Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Pakistan is all part of the preparations for hosting the ICC U-19 World Cup.
“We currently have a tri-series happening, apart from it being used by the teams to prepare for the matches, as ZC, we are using the series to check up on systems in terms of administrative preparedness. I am happy with what we have seen so far,” he said.
He said that the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup is a precursor to next year’s senior men’s World Cup, which the country will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
“For us, this is not just a World Cup, but we are using it as preparation for the main World Cup, which is coming in 2027,” he said. And in all this journey, ZC are happy to have received crucial Government support in hosting ICC events.
