Zimbabwe Under-19s get kit bags ahead of World Cup

ZIMBABWE Cricket men’s Under-19 team got a timely boost in India where they are on a practice tour after they received kit bags ahead of the start of the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa January.

The team received the bags on Wednesday from OMTEX ICWC Cricket Institute in Mumbai, India before they return back home ahead of the global showpiece in South Africa at the back end of January.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) enjoys a cordial relationship with OMTEX ICWC.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, OMTEX ICWC boss Vijay Patel encouraged the players to perform at their level best, adding that they love Zimbabwean cricket.

“So do well, and as already announced, you can see the kit bags already from OMTEX side India. We love Zimbabwe Cricket very much and we wish you all the best,” said Patel.

Zimbabwe Under-19 captain, Mathew Schonken thanked the Indian institution for the kit bags, saying that they are priviledged to have received them encouraging his teammates to make OMTEX proud.

“We would just like to thank OMTEX for the beautiful kit bags; I think they are going to put us in a really good spot. The boys were very privildged to receive these kit bags and I think let’s try and make OMTEX proud,” said Schonken.

The Zimbabwe Under-19 team is in India for a two weeks training camp ahead of next year’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Their camp is coming to an end tomorrow.

Since their arrival in India, the country’s next generation of cricketers had been practicing under the gaze of head coach, Prosper Utseya.

Zimbabwe were placed in Group C alongside Australia, Namibia and Sri Lanka. Utseya’s starlets will open their campaign on 21 January against Sri Lanka at the Kimberley Oval in the Northern Cape city of Kimberley.

Zimbabwe will then take on Australia on 25 January before facing Namibia in the last group fixture on 27 January at the same venue.

Defending champions India are placed in Group A with Bangladesh, Ireland and the United States of America as they attempt to claim a record sixth Under-19 title.

Group B consists of South Africa, England, West Indies and Scotland, while Group D is made up of Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal

The top three sides from each group progress to the Super Six phase of the event ahead of the semi-finals and final in Benoni.

Prosper Utseya and Vijay Patel during the kit bag presentation. . – @brandon_malvin