ELTON CHIGUMBURA Zimbabwe U19 side kick off their march to manhood this morning, taking on Afghanistan U19 in the opening match of the youth ODI tri-series at Harare Sports Club on Christmas Day.

The match is scheduled for 9.30 am.

Chigumbura, a Zimbabwean cricket icon and Takashinga Cricket Club legend brings a wealth of experience to the U19 helm having walked through the same road en route to becoming an international star. 

“This tri-series is crucial prep for the World Cup. The boys are hungry, focused, and success-driven,” Chigumbura said.

The U19 team has been training intensively, focusing on building partnerships and strengthening their batting and bowling units. Lately, they have been using the indoor facility at Harare Sports Club, becoming the first group to do so. 

Chigumbura concedes Afghanistan U19 is a tough opponent, but remains optimistic about his team’s chances. 

“Afghanistan’s a good side, but we’ve got the talent and the drive to take them on,” he said.

The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to start the series on a winning note. 

The tri-series provides an excellent opportunity for Zimbabwe to gain exposure to international cricket and fine-tune their skills before the World Cup.