Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE countdown to the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup continues today as hosts Zimbabwe test their preparedness for the upcoming tournament when they engage New Zealand in their final warm-up game at Masvingo Sports Club.
The Elton Chigumbura-coached side could not make full use of the first official practice game against the US at Harare Sports Club at the weekend, which ended in a no-result because of wet weather conditions.
Zimbabwe Under-19 are keen to improve on their 12th-place finish in the previous edition held in South Africa.
The Chevrons have been preparing for this tournament for the last 18 months, and the warm-up game against New Zealand today will be critical to gauge their current standing, having recently featured in a tri-nation tournament against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chigumbura’s side experienced mixed fortunes in the rain-interrupted series before falling heavily to Pakistan in the final of the triangular.
On Saturday, they hosted US at Harare Sports Club in the first official World Cup warm-up match. They won the toss and put the visitors in to bat before rain forced the abandonment of the match with the US on 174/4 after 33.2 overs.
Dhruv Patel had taken two wickets while Panashe Mazai and Webster Madhidhi had one each. Zimbabwe Under-19 used eight bowlers in that match, having been frustrated for the better part of the morning by USA Under-19 opener Amrinder Grill’s 100.
New Zealand were also involved in a warm-up game when losing to England by five wickets on Friday. They will be keen to make amends when they face Zimbabwe today.
England Under-19 will face India Under-19 in Bulawayo today to also wrap up their warm-up matches. A total of 16 teams are taking part in the tournament, and more practice matches have been lined up until Wednesday.
Zimbabwe and Namibia are co-hosting the event. The Chevrons are in Group C along with Pakistan, England, and Scotland.
They will get the 2026 Under-19 World Cup campaign underway on Thursday against Scotland at Takashinga Cricket Club. Neighbours South Africa are in Group D where they play Tanzania, the West Indies and Afghanistan.
Group A comprises the defending champions Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka, while Group B has one of the most successful sides in the tournament’s history, India (five titles), the 2020 winners Bangladesh, the US, and New Zealand.
Zimbabwe organisers will be hoping that the rainy conditions gripping the country will relent in the coming days to allow a flawless tournament.
ICC chairman Jay Shah said he was looking forward to the tournament, which will see the future stars of world cricket on display.
“The ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness, a tournament that reveals not just the next generation of cricketers, but the next generation of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport.
“As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket. This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form,” said Shah.
