Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe’s familiar batting troubles returned as the hosts slid to a nine-wicket defeat against Pakistan in the final of the Youth One Day International Tri-series at Old Hararians Sports Club yesterday.
Pakistan Under 19 won the toss and chose to field, a decision that paid off almost immediately as Zimbabwe’s innings never settled and left the visitors with a simple chase.
The hosts were bowled out for 158, undone early by Pakistan seamer Umar Zaib, who tore through the top order with ruthless efficiency.
Zaib struck four times among the first five wickets to fall, removing opener Samuel Muyambo (1), Takudzwa Makoni (5) and Brendon Ndiweni (1), before Zimbabwe captain Kupakwashe Muradzi (6) edged behind to Hamza Zahoor.
Inside seven overs, Zimbabwe were reeling at 15 for five, a collapse that laid bare how heavily the side leans on its bowling to stay competitive.
That dependence had carried Zimbabwe into the final, but here it took the resolve of Michael Blignaut to drag the innings toward something respectable.
Blignaut scored 60 off 102 balls, the 18-year-old fighting a lone battle as wickets continued to fall at the other end.
Tatenda Chimugoro added an unbeaten 28 from 39 balls down the order, but Zimbabwe still laboured to 158 in 44 overs.
When the innings closed, Blignaut’s half century stood as the only genuine bright spot, with seven Zimbabwe batters failing to reach double figures.
Leeroy Chiwaula (15) and Benny Zuze (16) showed promise but could not turn starts into meaningful contributions.
Zaib ended with four wickets for 20 runs, while Abdul Subhan took two for 25. Muhammad Sayyam, Daniyal Ali Khan and Ahmed Hussain claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan’s reply was calm and ruthless.
Openers Sameer Minhas and Muhammad Shayan made light work of the target, racing to 145 in just 85 balls and draining the contest of any remaining tension.
Minhas led the assault with a blistering 114 off 51 balls, an innings loaded with 14 fours and five sixes.
Shayan played the ideal supporting role, finishing unbeaten on 38 from 42 deliveries.
The ease of the chase summed up Pakistan’s control across the tri-series and confirmed their sense of timing.
As champions of the Youth ODI Under 19 competition and reigning Asia Cup Under 19 winners, Pakistan head into the World Cup with confidence and momentum.
For Zimbabwe, Under 19 coach Elton Chigumbura has little room to manoeuvre as a stubborn batting problem continues to threaten progress ahead of the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.
Speaking after the match, Chigumbura said he was not panicking, even while acknowledging concerns with the bat. “We didn’t put up the score that we wanted,” he said.
“I thought the condition changed big time, especially after lunch.
“In the morning, it was a bit challenging, especially facing seamers on that wicket with the overcast conditions. But I was happy with the way we fought back.
“We lost so many wickets in the first 10 overs. Like any other team, if you lose about five wickets in your first 10 overs, 200 will be a tough score to score.
“However, ending on 150, I thought we showed some good character,” said Chigumbura.
The coach added that Zimbabwe must sharpen their first 10 overs, demand more from the top order, and give themselves a real chance when the World Cup begins.
Mathew Masinge