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Zimbabwe's batsmen typically went all to pieces in their final Under-19 World Cup match in Johor on Saturday, giving Ireland 13th place in the tournament. Batting first after Ireland won the toss, only Reginald Nehonde (43) and Solomon Mire (12) reached double figures as Zimbabwe spluttered their way to 99/9 in an innings that was shortened by rain to 27 overs. Andrew Britton took 4/14 from 6 overs.

Ireland weren't exactly stellar in reply, with only on of their 6 batsmen in passing 15, but that was more than enough given Zim's woeful performance and the boys in green passed their target with 22 balls remaining. James Hall top-scored on 32, while Stewart Matsika took 2/14 from his 5 overs.

While there's some promise in the Zim U19 side on the bowling front, the batting is a real cause for concern - the side has been nothing short of hopeless with the bat throughout the tournament. By all accounts, this has been a far weaker side than Zimbabwe could have fielded, with political and / or quota issues being the main cause of the problem. If Zimbabwe want to be able to field a side in future that has any hope of being competitive, such petty concerns really need to be put to one side - but somehow I doubt those in control are really paying attention. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe U19 99/9 (27/27 overs; Nehonde 43, Britton 4/14), Ireland U19 100/4 (23.2/27 overs; Hall 32, Matsika 2/14). Ireland in by 6 wickets.

Malaysia U19 may have scored one upset win against Zimbabwe's youngsters, but there was no repeat in the first play-off for 13th-16th places in the competition - saving Zimbabwe from the humiliation of finishing last. Batting first, Zim scored 186/6 from 34 overs (match duration reduced do to rain), with Daniel Landman scoring a rapid-fire 45. Solomon Mire (36), Peter Moor (37) and Tinashe Chimbambo (28) also made decent contributions. For the Malaysians, Nik Azril Arifin took 2/23.

Zim's bowlers, who have far outperformed the batsmen in this tournament, ripped through the Malaysian top order, leaving them in early trouble at 3/15 before Aminuddin Ramly put up a fight - he eventually scored 70, but with none of the Malaysian batsmen passing 10, it wasn't a match-winning innings. The hosts were bowled out for 142. Edzai Jaure was the best of the Zim bowlers with 3/39, while Kyle Jarvis, Daniel Landman and Stewart Matsika took two each.

Zimbabwe now meet the winner of Ireland v Namibia to decide 13th & 14th places in the tournament. Full scorecard for this match is below the cut.
Zimbabwe U19 186/6 (39/39 overs; Landman 45, Nik Azril Arifin 2/23), Malaysia U19 142 (28.5/39 overs; Aminuddin Ramly 70, Jaure 3/39). Zimbabwe U19 win by 44 runs.

Zimbabwe's U19 side may have beaten Nepal in their warm-up match, but the Himalayan side extracted sweet revenge in when they met in the Plate Championship on Sunday. Having been put in to bat when Zimbabwe won the toss, Nepal posted 158 from 45.1 overs - not a great total, and one that should have been chasable. Puspa Thapa top-scored on 40, while Edzai Jaure and Stewart Matsika both took 3/34. In reply, Zimbabwe collapsed (as usual) to a platry 59 all out from 27.2 overs.

Zimbabwe now meet Malaysia on Tuesday (26th) as part of the play-offs for 13th-16th place in the competition, and Zim must now be facing the real possibility of finishing last in the competition.
Nepal U19 158 (45.1 overs; Thapa 40, Jaure 3/34), Zimbabwe U19 59 (27.2 overs; Chimbambo 20, Khadka 3/13. Nepal U19 win by 99 runs.

Zimbabwe's Under-19's had their last chance for glory against two-time champions Pakistan this morning- and they almost got there, too. Batting first, Pakistan were soon in trouble, at one point being on 4/21, but Ali Asad's 71 not-out in the middle order save them from posting an embarassingly low score. As it was, Zimbabwe were able to pin the champs back to 173/8 from their 50 overs, a total which most teams would have had visions of chasing down. Kyle Jarvis took 3/40 and was the best of the Zim bowlers, who all told had a very good morning.

As has become depressingly routine in this competition, though, Zimbabwe's batting went all to pieces against the far more experienced Pakistani attack. Justin Gaisford top-scored with a platry 18 as the side collapsed to 86 all out in 29 overs, leaving Zim without a win in the group stage and destined for the Plate competition, where they'll meet Nepal - they managed to edge the Himalayan nation in the wamr-up matches, they'll be hoping to pick up their first competitive win of the tourney.
Pakistan U19 173/8 (50 overs; Ali Asad 76*, Jarvis 3/40), Zimbabwe U19 86 (29 overs; Gaisford 18, Mohammad Rameez 3/26). Pakistan U19 win by 87 runs.

Zimbabwe's Under-19 side fell to their second defeat of the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia this morning, losing to the hosts by 70 runs. Batting first, Malaysia scored 194/7, with captain Ahmed Faiz (50) top-scoring. Daniel Landman took 3/34. On paper, a target of 195 from 50 overs shouldn't have been a problem for Zim against what should have been much weaker opposition, but the boys never really got into their stride - Tendai Mashonganyika (24) and Tinashe Chimbambo (22) were the best of the bunch, but with no notable partnerships and a number of the better batsmen on the side simply failing to perform - Justin Gaisford and Solomon Mire were both out for ducks - the side were bowled out for 124 in the 39th over.

That leaves Zimbabwe bottom of Group A - if they're to progress to the Super League stage instead of the Plate competition, they now need to hope that New Zealand beat Malaysia by a wide margin tomorrow, and then beat reigning champions Pakistan on Friday - which on current form, isn't looking likely. Full scorecard below the cut.
Malaysia 194/7 (50 overs; Ahmed Faiz 50, Landman 3/34), Zimbabwe 124 (38.4 overs; Mashonganyika 24, Shahid Ali Khan 3/41). Malaysia win by 70 runs.

Zimbabwe will have been looking for a good start in their Under-19 World Cup opener against New Zealand this morning, but they didn't get one - and only avoided complete humiliation thanks to face-saving knocks by Solomon Mire and Daniel Landman. Zim won the toss and elected to field, and after losing their openers early, New Zealand were soon making hay - Corey Anderson top-scored with 82, while Prince Masvaure took 3/37 from his 10 overs. New Zealand finished their 50 overs on 221/8 - a decent score but one that Zim would have had hopes of chasing down.

Those hopes fell apart within minutes of the Zimbabwe innings starting, however, as the side quickly collapsed to 5/15, with top-order frailty apparently not being restricted to the senior sides. Solomon Mire (31), Daniel Landman (51) and Tendai Chitongo (15) added some respectability to the score by at least ensuring the side reached triple-figures, but there were no other contributions of note as Zim fell to a 98-run loss.

A very disappointing start, then. Full scorecard for this match is below the cut - Zimbabwe's second match is against Malaysia on Wednesday (20th), which on paper they should win - but with form like this, you can never be sure...
New Zealand U19 221/8 (50 overs; Anderson 82, Masvaure 3/37), Zimbabwe U19 123 (42.4 overs; Landman 51, Southee 5/11). New Zealand U19 win by 98 runs.

Zimbabwe's youngsters picked up their first win in Malaysia with victory over Nepal in their second warm-up match. Nepal set a starget of 203 for the loss of 8 wickets from their 50 overs, with Zim captain Prince Masvaure taking 3/32 from his 10 overs. 'Keeper Tinashe Chimbambo also had a good day with the gloves, taking 6 catches. Zimbabwe chased down the required runs with just over an over to spare, led by that man Chimbambo again (49*). The win should give the side some much-needed confidence ahead of the start of the tournament proper.

Full scorecard below the cut. Zimbabwe's first group-stage match is against New Zealand on Monday (18th February).
Nepal U19 203/8 (50 overs; Malia 85, Masvaure 3/32), Zimbabwe U19 206/7 (48.3 overs; Chimbambo 49, Khadka 4/34). Zimbabwe U19 win by 3 wickets.

Zimbabwe's U19 side were on the wrong end of a 10-wicket thumping in Kuala Lumpur this morning, as Australia rolled them over in emphatic style and gave a pointer to the struggles the side will face when the tournament proper gets under way next week. Batting first, Zim were bowled out for 57 (16 of those came from Extras), with Tendai Mashonganyika (12) and captain Prince Masvaure (10) the only players to hit double figures. Hazelwood (3/17) and King (3/6) led the attack for Australia.

In reply, Australia hardly broken a sweat, with openers Hughes (40*) and Sarna (12*) running up the required runs in just 7.2 overs, with Zim's bowling being treated with contempt throughout.
Zimbabwe U19 57 (28.3 overs; Mashonganyika 12, King 3/6), Australia U19 60/0 (7.2 overs; Hughes 40*, Sarna 12*). Australia U19 win by 10 wickets.

Full scorecard below the cut. Zimbabwe's next match is against Nepal on Thurdsday, and will be a good gauge of how much Zim are going to struggle in this tourney - if Nepal can trouble them, then we're in trouble...

Zimbabwe U19 captain Prince Masvaure is confident that his side will make good progress in the U19 World Cup, which starts with two round of warm-up matches this week. Speaking to the Herald, Masvaure said..

"It really feels like it is a big opportunity to show your talent to the world while you are still young, and make my country proud of whom we are. I think we are going to be a key team in the group together with Pakistan because they have won the competition in consecutively."

Hopefully his confidence isn't misplaced - Zimbabwe have traditionally performed well at this event, but the team send this year is noticeably weaker than for previous competitions.

The official website for the tournament has another interview with Masvaure which is also worh a read.
The Herald - Zimbabwe U-19 cricket team confident | ICC - Prince Masvaure Interview

The ICC have released details of the next U19 World Cup tournament, to be held in Malaysia from 17th February to 3rd March 2008. Zimbabwe, who are seeded 8th in the competition, are in Group A along with Pakistan (seeded 1st), New Zealand (9th) and hosts Malaysia (16th). Zimbabwe's fixture list for the group stage is:

18 February     Zimbabwe v New Zealand          JCA, Johor
20 February     Malaysia v Zimbabwe             MPTI, Johor
22 February     Pakistan v Zimbabwe             MPTI, Johor

The top two sides in each group will progress to the Super League stage, while the bottom two will progress to the Plate competition. Both stages will be held between 24th February and 3rd March.
ICC - Details of 2008 ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia confirmed