Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Under-19 captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere had declared the Junior Chevrons ready to rule the roost and win the International Cricket Council U-19 World Cup on home soil.
Mudzengerere yesterday made an inspirational declaration, promising the nation that his team will relentlessly battle to secure the World Cup trophy, which will be proudly showcased in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The Under-19 skipper made the remarks after meeting Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday when he officially received the Under-19 Cricket World Cup trophy.
Running from January 15 to February 6, Zimbabwe will host 25 of the matches of the junior cricket global show-piece, including the semi-finals and the final, with co-host Namibia taking the remaining 16 matches.
Mudzengerere wants his team to put the icing on the cake by lifting the silverware in front of their home fans.
With global sports attention trained on Zimbabwe, Acting President Chiwenga said it was his hope that this will ignite a fire of sports excellence and the zeal to rise to international stardom among local youths.
The Acting President urged the team to give it their all and secure the trophy for Zimbabwe.
In response, Mudzengerere confidently promised that they would deliver on that goal.
“I have just met the Acting President of Zimbabwe and it was such a good moment.
“He gave words of encouragement, and I think we will be able to lift the trophy for Zimbabwe and I promise we will give something that has never been done by the Zimbabwe U-19 before.
“We are going to lift the trophy,” said Mudzengerere.
New Zealand skipper Tom Jones, who was among the captains who met the Acting President, was also equally confident of his team’s chances, highlighting that their roster includes stars who have previously competed at this level.
“We arrived about five days ago and we have settled in Harare and we are really enjoying Zimbabwe, it’s a beautiful country.
“I think we have got a nice side, we have three guys who are returning from the last World Cup.
“We are really excited and hopefully it will be a good World Cup for us,” said Jones.
England skipper Farhan Ahmed praised the high quality of the pitches in Zimbabwe, expressing that his team is eager to compete.
He also expressed his delight at having the opportunity to meet Acting President Chiwenga, describing it as an honour.
“We have met the (Acting) President of Zimbabwe which is a great honour for us,” said Ahmed.
“So far, we have enjoyed the hospitality which is very good and welcoming for everyone and the pitches have been good — a good change of conditions.”
