Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE stage is set for a historic and exhilarating five-match Youth One Day International (ODI) series between Zimbabwe Men’s Under-19 and Ireland Men’s Under-19, kicking off today.
This tour marks Ireland’s first-ever visit to Zimbabwe at this level and forms a crucial part of both teams’ preparations for the 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host early next year.
The Irish squad arrived in Zimbabwe on Monday, eager to test themselves against a formidable Zimbabwean side. Their head coach, Peter Johnstone, acknowledged the challenge ahead and expressed excitement over facing a talented opponent.
“We have built a great relationship with Zimbabwe over the years, and we’ve had some fantastic contests. I expect this tour to be no different. Zimbabwe has a really talented and hungry squad in all departments,” Johnstone said.
He admitted his side had tough selection choices ahead of the tour, but sees it as a positive sign of depth within the squad.
“There is still a long way to go before the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup next year, and there will be plenty of opportunities between now and then for all our players to keep raising the bar and pushing for places.”
With early 9:15 AM starts for all matches, Johnstone believes his team is well-prepared for different game situations.
“We are ready to exploit movement with the ball if we bowl first and also to handle any early movement if we bat first. We’ve trained, specifically around this and feel confident in applying and executing our game plans, regardless of the toss,” he added.
On the other side, Zimbabwe Under-19 head coach, Elton Chigumbura, emphasised the importance of this series in their World Cup preparations.
“It’s crucial for us to face unfamiliar opposition. We have been playing local sides, but competing internationally will help calm nerves and expose the players to different challenges ahead of next year’s World Cup,” said Chigumbura.
The five-match series begins at Harare Sports Club with games on Thursday, Saturday and Monday before shifting to Takashinga Cricket Club for the final two matches next Thursday and Saturday.
With Zimbabwe set to co-host the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, this series provides a valuable opportunity for the young Chevrons to fine-tune their skills and assess their squad ahead of the global showpiece.
All matches start at 9:15 AM. — @brandon_malvin
Bongani Ndlovu