Zimbabwe U19s to face Ireland U19s in World Cup build-up series

Zimbabwe’s preparations for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 on home soil are set to intensify as the Zimbabwe Under-19 team host Ireland Under-19s for a five-match Youth One-Day International (YODI) series in Harare.

The tour, an essential part of Zimbabwe’s build-up to the global event, will see the two sides clash on 3, 5 and 7 April at Harare Sports Club before shifting to Takashinga Cricket Club for the final two fixtures on 10 and 12 April.

With Zimbabwe set to co-host the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside Namibia, the series against Ireland provides a vital opportunity for the team to fine-tune their game and assess their potential squad ahead of the prestigious tournament.

“We are excited to host Ireland as part of our preparations for the Under-19 World Cup,” Zimbabwe Under-19 head coach Elton Chigumbura said.

“This series is crucial in helping us evaluate our players, refine our strategies and expose the squad to competitive international cricket before the main event.”

The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will feature 16 teams, with the top 10 sides from the previous edition having already secured automatic qualification.

As a co-host, Zimbabwe have also qualified directly, while five other teams will earn their spots through regional qualification tournaments.

Chigumbura emphasised the importance of the series against Ireland in ensuring Zimbabwe will field a well-prepared team for the World Cup.

“We have been working hard in training and these matches will give us a great chance to test different combinations and assess how the players handle pressure in real match situations,” he said.

“The squad is shaping up well and we are looking forward to some competitive cricket against Ireland.”

The upcoming YODI series will also allow Zimbabwe’s young players to showcase their talents and stake their claims for a place in the final squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

With the tournament drawing closer, Zimbabwe Cricket remains committed to providing the best possible preparations for the team to compete strongly on home soil.

MATCH SCHEDULE: ZIMBABWE U19s VS IRELAND U19s YODI SERIES: