Zimbabwe to host Pakistan, Afghanistan in U19 tri-series ahead of World Cup 2026

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Tuesday confirmed that it will host Pakistan and Afghanistan in a home Under-19 tri-series as part of preparations for the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, 24NewsHD TV reported. 

Zimbabwe will co-host the tournament with Namibia from January 15 to February 6.

According to ZC, the tri-series will begin on December 25 at Harare Sports Club, with the hosts facing Afghanistan in the opening match.

Pakistan will commence their campaign on December 27 against Afghanistan at the same venue.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said the series would play a vital role in Zimbabwe’s preparations for the global event.

“This tri-series is a key part of our final preparations for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup,” Makoni said.

“Playing against strong Under-19 teams like Afghanistan and Pakistan will give our players the quality match experience they need ahead of a major global event on home soil.”

Following the first two matches, the action will move to Prince Edward School on December 29, where Zimbabwe will take on Pakistan.

 Zimbabwe will then face Afghanistan at Sunrise Sports Club on December 31.

The second clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled for January 2 at Sunrise Sports Club, while the final league-stage fixture between Zimbabwe and Pakistan will be played at Old Hararians Sports Club on January 4.

Makoni revealed that staging matches across multiple venues was a deliberate decision aimed at testing Zimbabwe’s operational readiness ahead of co-hosting the World Cup.

“Hosting matches across several venues allows us to test our systems and operational readiness as we prepare to co-host the U19 World Cup with Namibia,” he said.

“It is an important step in ensuring we deliver a successful ICC event.”

The top two teams on the points table after the league stage will qualify for the final, which is scheduled to be played at Old Hararians Sports Club on January 6.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Under-19 side is currently competing in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025, which runs until December 21 in Dubai.

 The Green Shirts are set to face either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in the semi-final, scheduled for Friday.