Christmas morning in Harare, and there's a certain charm to watching youth cricket unfold when most of the cricketing world is otherwise engaged. "
Zimbabwe U19" and "
Afghanistan U19" meet in what promises to be one of the more intriguing encounters of this tri-series, a fixture that carries more weight than its billing might suggest.
The Afghans arrive with a reputation that precedes them — and rightly so. In recent years their age-group sides have displayed a maturity that belies their youth, built largely on skilful spin bowling and aggressive intent with the bat. They've cultivated a culture of fearlessness at this level, something that has served them well in tournaments across Asia and beyond. That said, tri-series cricket away from home presents its own challenges, and adapting to Zimbabwean conditions — where pace can occasionally surprise and bounce varies — is not always straightforward.
"
Zimbabwe U19," by contrast, have the advantage of familiarity. Playing at home is no small thing, particularly for young cricketers still finding their feet at international level. They'll know the pitches, understand how the ball behaves as the day wears on, and they'll have the comfort of local support. Still, consistency has been an issue. One senses they have talent in pockets — a promising seamer here, a composed top-order bat there — but translating that into sustained pressure against disciplined opposition is another matter entirely.
It's worth noting that early-morning starts can be deceptive. The air will be fresh, the ball might do a bit, and whoever wins the toss could well dictate terms early. From what we've seen in similar fixtures, Afghanistan's spinners tend to assert control through the middle overs, squeezing runs and forcing mistakes. Zimbabwe will need to counter that with intelligent rotation of strike and patience, qualities not always abundant in youth cricket.
The balance of probability leans towards "
Afghanistan U19." Their recent pedigree at this level, combined with a well-rounded unit that rarely panics under pressure, gives them a sporting edge — though nothing in cricket, especially at this age, is ever truly certain.
