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Brandon Moyo

Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE have been placed in a tough Group C for the 2024 International Cricket Council Men’s Under-19 World Cup finals, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka in January.

It is scheduled to run from January 13 – February 5. Zimbabwe’s group consists of hosts, Sri Lanka, Australia and Southern African neighbours, Namibia. 

Zimbabwe will play in the first game of the tournament on Saturday 13 January against Sri Lanka at the prestigious R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, before they go on to face Namibia three days later.

The game against Namibia will be played on January 16 at Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo as well. The Prosper Utseya coached Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team will go on to conclude their group games against Australia two days after their clash against Namibia. The match against Australia will be played on January 19 at one of Sri Lanka’s most famous cricket grounds and the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo. 

Zimbabwe got automatic qualification to the World Cup as one of the best placed full member nations from the previous edition last year. In last year’s tournament, the Young Chevrons finished in position 12 after an eight wickets defeat at the hands of the West Indies in a play-off match. 

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said they are looking to put in the work to make sure that the Under-19s finish in a better position than in the previous two events. As part of their preparations for next year’s World Cup, Zimbabwe Under-19s have been touring India where they played against clubs from the Asian nation.

Their latest tour came in April this year where they played two three day matches and four one day games. The side managed to produce good results in April and also in their other tour in December last year. 

Some of the players have been taking part in the country’s premier club cricket competition, the National Premier League (NPL). 

The upcoming World Cup will be the 15th edition of the Under-19 World Cup and the third to be held in Sri Lanka after the 2000 and 2006 editions. After this one, Zimbabwe will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Namibia. A total of 41 matches will be played throughout the tournament.

ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 

Qualifiers Groups:

Group A: India, Bangladesh, Ireland, USA

Group B: England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland

Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Namibia

Group D: Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, Nepal. — @brandon_malvin