At Harare Sports Club on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Under-19 team delivered another spirited performance to edge out Ireland U19 by 12 runs in the second Youth One-Day International (YODI) of the five-match series. Ireland won the toss; they elected to bowl first—perhaps hoping to exploit early conditions—but it was Zimbabwe who once again showed composure and class under pressure.
The star of the day was undoubtedly Kian Blignaut, whose patient yet crucial knock of 68 off 98 balls earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match accolade. Blignaut’s innings anchored Zimbabwe’s total, building partnerships and rotating the strike smartly to guide his team to a competitive score.
What’s most encouraging for Zimbabwean cricket fans is the grit and fight these young Chevrons are showing. Much like the senior side that defeated Ireland 2-1 in their ODI series just two months ago, the U19s are now proving their pedigree with back-to-back wins—this time in a developmental arena that speaks volumes about the depth of talent brewing in the country.
Ireland U19 fought hard in their chase, but the disciplined bowling and sharp fielding from Zimbabwe kept them in check. Two bowlers had stellar performances leading the defence against Ireland: Shelton Mazvitorera, who bowled 3 wickets for 67 runs, and Ryan Moyo with 32 runs for 3 wickets. Despite some late resistance, Zimbabwe held their nerve in the closing overs, displaying the kind of temperament and game awareness that wins tight contests.
Now 2-0 up in the series, Zimbabwe are just one win away from clinching the series, with three matches still to play. Ireland, on the other hand, will be desperate to regroup and avoid a series loss with two matches to spare.
The momentum is firmly with the home side, and with players like Blignaut stepping up at key moments, the future of Zimbabwean cricket continues to shine bright. With belief, unity, and a touch of flair, the young Chevrons are making a bold statement—not just in this series, but on the global youth cricket stage.
