Four Zimbabwe cricketers who are part of the Under-19 World Cup squad have tested positive for the Covid-19. After the reports returned positive, the four cricketers are asymptomatic and self-isolating in West Indies. The names of the players have not been revealed or the variant of Covid-19 they have contracted.
Zimbabwe will begin their U19 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on January 16. They have been placed in Group C alongside Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ahead of the January 16 clash, they will play two warm-up matches against Canada and Bangladesh on January 9 and 11 respectively at St Kitts and Nevis.
Before the mega competition, Zimbabwe played Ireland in Barbados recently and clinched the series by 3-1.
So far, Zimbabwe have participated in 12 U-19 World Cup tournaments. Their best performance in the tournament came in 2004 when they finished sixth. It is the same year when Pakistan were crowned champions first time.
Zimbabwe squad: Emmanuel Bawa, Brian Bennett, David Bennett, Victor Chirwa, Ngcini Dube, Alex Falao, Tendekai Mataranyika, Tashinga Makoni, Connor Mitchell, Steven Saul, Matthew Schonken, Panashe Taruvinga, Matthew Welch, Rogan Wolhuter, Ngenyasha Zvinoera
Another chance for India
Yash Dhull-led India will eye the coveted trophy for the fifth time. The India Under-19 side recently won the Asia U-19 Cup after beating Sri Lanka in the final. In the last edition of U-19 World Cup, India finished runner-ups as they were beaten by Bangladesh in the final as the latter won their maiden title. India have won the U-19 World Cup four times, which is the most by any team. They lifted the trophy in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.
