Zimbabwe set to Host South Africa, Bangladesh in U...

Zimbabwe set to Host South Africa, Bangladesh in U-19 Tri-Series

Witness Runodada Zim Now reporter

As preparations ramp up for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe is set to host South Africa and Bangladesh in a triangular one-day international series later this month. The tournament, scheduled from 25 July to 10 August, will feature nine round-robin matches followed by a final, offering vital international exposure for the participating teams.

The tri-series will be played across two venues in Harare , Sunrise Sports Club and Harare Sports Club

The action gets underway on 25 July with Zimbabwe Under-19s facing South Africa Under-19s at Sunrise Sports Club. The following day, South Africa and Bangladesh will go head-to-head at the same ground. Matches then shift to Harare Sports Club from 28 July, beginning with a clash between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.The round-robin format will see each team playing the others multiple times, before the top two sides meet in the final on 10 August.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni emphasized the importance of the series in preparing the national youth side for the challenges ahead. “We are delighted to be hosting this competitive triangular series as part of our build-up to the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026,” said Makoni. “It presents a golden opportunity for our youngsters to gain valuable match experience and test themselves against strong opposition in South Africa and Bangladesh.”

Zimbabwe Under-19s Head Coach Elton Chigumbura echoed Makoni’s sentiments, noting that the series will serve as a vital benchmark for his squad. “This is a fantastic chance for us to gauge our players’ readiness,” he said. “We’ve been working hard in training, but nothing compares to the intensity of international competition.”

Chigumbura added that exposing players to high-pressure situations is key to their development and ultimate success on the world stage. “These matches will expose the boys to high-pressure situations, and that’s exactly what we need as we build toward the World Cup. Our aim is not just to compete but to win the tri-series,” he said. “The players have put in a lot of work over the past few months, and I believe this group has what it takes to come out on top.”