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Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe’s preparations for the next edition of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup on home soil have begun in earnest with a Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging side set to face the South Africa Under-19 Emerging team in five one-day matches this month in Bulawayo.
The 50-over matches are scheduled for 20, 22, 25, 27, and 29 September at Queens Sports Club.
“This tour is very important for us as it will give us an indication of where we are as a squad,” Zimbabwe Under-19 Head Coach Elton Chigumbura said, emphasising the significance of the visit by the South Africans ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 that Zimbabwe will co-host together with Namibia.
“We still have 16 months to go, but it will be a good test . . . for the players to see the kind of levels they will be facing when the Under-19 World Cup comes.”
The Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging squad for the series was picked during Zimbabwe Cricket’s Under-17 Week held in Harare in August.
“The boys we have selected are very talented, but we need to polish one or two things and I am happy with what we have done so far in line with our preparations for this tour,” Chigumbura said.
“Also, going forward, we will be focusing on getting more game time and we have planned over 100 games from now until the next Under-19 World Cup in 2026.
“There will be lots of games, both local and international so that the boys get the necessary experience.
“So, we are looking forward to it and I am sure it will be a very good preparation for us as we will also be trying to get used to our home conditions ahead of the global tournament in our own country.”
MATCH SCHEDULE
Friday 20 September: 1st One-Dayer
Sunday 22 September: 2nd One-Dayer
Wednesday 25 September: 3rd One-Dayer
Friday 27 September: 4th One-Dayer
Sunday 29 September: 5th One-Dayer
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