I did take some liberty with this and included a bit of a rundown and write up for each event as it's quite interesting to note certain things. Well, at least I thought so.
Things to note. Players highlighted in Red have represented Zimbabwe. Highlighted in Black and Blue denote represented other countries. Players italicised have been identified as still active and therefore eligible for selection.
1988 – Australia
This was the first version of the U19 World Cup. There were 8 teams included in the event with Zimbabwe represented by four players in the ICC Associates team. Australia won the title beating Pakistan in the final by 5 wickets. Brett Williams of Australia scored the most runs with 471. Wayne Holdsworth (Australia) and Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan) were joint top wicket takers with 19. The ICC Associates finished last losing all 7 of their games.
The first event was 8 years after Zimbabwes independence. Only 4 players represented the nation and only 2 of those players went on to represent their International side. Zimbabwe would gain Full Member status 4 years later, but much of the players who would be the base of that side were already well past their teenage years.
1998 – South Africa
Ten years since the inaugural event, the U19 World Cup returned. An increase in teams from 8 to 16 saw more competition as England picked up their first title beating New Zealand in the final by 7 wickets. Christ Gayle (West Indies) scored the most runs with 364. It was another joint affair for most wickets with Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies) and Mluleki Nkala (Zimbabwe) both nabbing 16 each. Zimbabwe finished 2nd Pool B with wins over West Indies and Papua New Guinea. They lost all three of their games in the Super Eights against New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe competed as their own nation and for the first time as a Full Member. Of the side, 7 players would go on to represent Zimbabwe in a full international cricket match. Mark Vermuelen arguably the most talented and successful before health concerns derailed his careers.
Group Stage
Super League
2000 – Sri Lanka
Unlike it’s senior, the U19 World Cup is held biennially. Sri Lanka played host as India won their first title beating the hosts in the final by 6 wickets. Yuvraj Singh (India) won the Player of the Series award. Future test captain, Graeme Smith (South Africa) scored the most runs with 348. Zahid Saeed (Pakistan) was top wicket taker with 15. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group A behind West Indies and England, but beat The Americas team. In the Plate Competition, Zimbabwe finished 2nd in Group A behind Bangladesh and ahead of Kenya and Namibia. They lost by 8 wickets in the Plate Semi-Final to South Africa.
It could be argued that this was our strongest U19 side ever. From this event, 7 new faces from the previous event would go on to represent Zimbabwe at an international level. The likes of Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu had fairly strong Zimbabwe careers, but in the case of others such as Sean Ervine and Travis Friend, it is very much of a case of, ‘what could have been’.
Group Stage
Plate Group
Plate Semi-Final
2002 - New Zealand
Australia picked up their 2nd title with a victory over South Africa by 7 wickets in the final in Lincoln. Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) was awarded Player of the Series. Cameron White (Australia) was the stand out batter with 423 runs. It was another shared most wickets award as Xavier Doherty (Australia) and Waddington Mwayenga (Zimbabwe) both picked up 16. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group B behind New Zealand and Sri Lanka, ahead of Namibia. Zimbabwe won the Plate Competition, after topping their group, and beating Namibia and Nepal in the Semi-Final and Final.
Tatenda Taibu returned to lead the Zimbabwe side and captained a team that would include 5 new faces who would go on to be full international players. Brendan Taylor is arguably the best of this group. Charles Coventry once held the world record for highest individual score in an ODI, whilst Elton Chigumbura had varied success.
Group Stage
Plate Group Stage
Plate Final
2004 – Bangladesh
It was the second time the sub-continent played host, as Pakistan won their first title beating West Indies in the final by 25 runs. Shikhara Dawan (India) won both the Player of the Series and most runs award after scoring an impressive 505. Enamul Haque (Bangladesh) gave home fans something to cheer picking up most wickets with 22. Zimbabwe finished 2nd in group A behind Sri Lanka, and ahead of Australia and Canada. They were 3rd in Group B of the Super League behind England and Pakistan, ahead of New Zealand.
Tino Mawoyo lead the side in 2004 which included 6 new faces that would go on to play international cricket for Zimbabwe. Colin de Grandhomme would also play international cricket, but would go on to represent New Zealand. Could be argued that this was our strongest U19 side in terms of players who went on to represent Zimbabwe in full internationals.
Group Stage
Super League
2006 – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka became the first two time hosts as Pakistan held on to their title beating India in the final by 38 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara (India) nabbed both the Player of the Series and most runs scoring 349. Moises Henriques (Australia) was top wicket taker with 16 scalps. Zimbabwe topped Group D ahead of England, Nepal and Ireland. They lost to Pakistan in the Quarter Final by 5 wickets. A final loss in the Super League Play Off Semi-Final to Sri Lanka by 8 wickets ensued as they finished 7th overall.
Sean Williams returned to lead the side in 2006 and was accompanied by 7 new faces who would represent Zimbabwe at the main level. Gary Ballance would go on to have a fairly successful Country Career and then represent England.
Group Stage
Final Standings
2008 - Malaysia
Malaysia became the first non-full member to host the event as India beat South Africa in the final by 12 runs on D/L. Tim Southee (New Zealand) was awarded player of the series, whilst Tanmay Srivastava (India) scored the most runs with 262, and Wayne Parnell (South Africa) nabbed 18 wickets for most in the tournament. Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group A losing against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Malaysia. A loss to Nepal in the Plate Quarter-Finals saw them play Malaysia for the 13th place play off in which they prevailed by 44 runs.
The 2008 side included 6 new faces who would go on to represent Zimbabwe in full internationals. Kyle Jarvis is arguably the most successful of the group, but was accompanied by Solomon Mire who may wish to put forward a claim for himself.
Group Stage
Final Standings
2010 – New Zealand
Seems to be a happy camping ground for Australia who picked up their 3rd title with victory over Pakistan in the final by 25 runs. Dominic Hendricks (South Africa) was awarded Player of the Series and most runs with 391. Raymond Haoda (Papua New Guinea) became the first Associate player to win an award with the most wickets of 15. Zimbabwe finished last in their group behind New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Canada. A loss to Ireland in the Plate Quarter-Finals was followed by victory over USA and Hong Kong as Zimbabwe finished 13th overall.
It seems to be from this series that players who go on to represent Zimbabwe in full international, began to dwindle. Only 4 of the side would do so, and only 2 were new faces from the previous tournament. Tendai Chatara is still on the field but is fast approaching his departure.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
2012 – Australia
This was the first time all matches were not played across the country as Australia played host in Queensland. I was fortunate enough to watch Zimbabwe play England in a warm up match in lieu of attending university classes. India took home their third title beating the hosts in the final by 6 wickets. Will Bosisto (Australia) was Player of the Series. Anamul Haque (Bangladesh) scored the most runs whilst Reece Topley (England) took the most wickets of 19. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group C behind West Indies and India, but ahead of Papua New Guinea. They then lost to Scotland in the Plate Quarter Finals, and Papua New Guinea in the 13th place play off. A final win over Namibia ensured they finished 15th, or second last overall.
A disastrous tournament that has only seen 4 of the players in this side represent Zimbabwe on the full international stage. Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe are still mainstays in the current Zimbabwe team, whilst Wellington Masakadza and Kevin Kasuza are used sparingly or for particular formats.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
2014 – United Arab Emirates
South Africa secured their first title with victory over by Pakistan by 6 wickets in the final. Aiden Markram was voted Player of the Series. Shadman Islam (Bangladesh) scored the most runs, whilst Anuk Fernando (Sri Lanka) was key with the ball taking 15 wickets. Zimbabwe
Finished 3rd in Group C behind South Africa and West Indies, but ahead of Canada. Victory over Namibia in the Plate Quarter Finals could not be repeated against Bangladesh in the Semi-Final. They finished with victory over the UAE as they secured 11th spot overall.
This side has shown some promise but only 2 new faces in this team have gone on to represent Zimbabwe at the elite level. Even then, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Tarisai Musakanda have failed to make major impacts and find themselves currently on the outer.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
2016 - Bangladesh
It was another first as West Indies beat India in the final by 5 wickets. Mehidy Hasan (Bangladesh) took home Player of the Series. Jack Burnham (England) top scored with 420 runs, whilst Fritz Coetzee took home the most wickets with 15. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group C ahead of Fiji, behind England and the West Indies. The match against the West Indies is remembered for the infamous mankad of Richard Ngarava as Zimbabwe needed 2 to win. Zimbabwe picked themselves up to beat Canada and South Africa in the Plate as they reached the 9th place play-off where they could not get past Afghanistan, finishing 10th overall
Zimbabwe newest prodigy unveiled themselves in this tournament as Wessly Madhevere is now a certainty on any Zimbabwe team sheet. Along with him, there was 5 players who would go on to represent Zimbabwe at the top level. All 5 are arguably quality players, however Ryan Murray has gone awol since his only series in full Zimbabwe colours.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
2018 – New Zealand
Shubman Gill (India) led from the front as Player of the Series and Indian picked up their fourth title beating Australia by 8 wickets. Alick Athanaze (West Indies) top scored with 418 runs. It was a three-way tie for most wickets as Anukul Roy (India), Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan) and Faisal Jamkhandi (Canada) all took 14. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group B behind India and Australia, but ahead of Papua New Guinea. In the Plate Quarter Finals, they beat Namibia before losing to Sri Lanka in the Semi-Final. A final victory over Canada ensured an 11th place finish.
Liam Roache captained this side as one of only 2 new faces who would represent Zimbabwe at the top level. He has since also fallen off the face of Zimbabwe selection, whilst Dion Myers seems to still be learning his craft.
Group Stage
Plate League
Final Standings
2020 – South Africa
Bangladesh picked up their first ever U19 World Cup with victory over India in the final by 3 wickets on the DLS method. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India) secured Player of the Series and most runs with 400. Ravi Bishnoi (India) was the most lethal bowler with 17 wickets. Zimbabwe finished 3rd in Group C behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, but had a win over Scotland. They started the Plate Quarter Final with victory over Canada before a loss to England in the Semi Final. A huge win over Scotland ensured an 11th place finish.
Wessly Madhevere and Milton Shumba featured in their 3rd U19 World Cup, as only 1 new face from this team has reached the top level. Much is expected of Tadiwanashe Marumani, however it seems to be a case of nurture rather than thrown to the wolves for the young opener.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
2022 – West Indies
The most recent event saw India pick up their 5th title as they beat England by 4 wickets. Dewald Brevis (South Africa) was in dominant form winning Player of the Series and scoring the most runs with 506. Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka) took home the most wickets award with 17. Zimbabwe once again were 3rd in Group C, this time behind Pakistan and Afghanistan, but ahead of Papua New Guinea. It was a fairly similar story as 2020 as they beat Scotland in the Plate Quarter Final, but lost to Ireland in the Semi-Final. A final loss to West Indies ensured a 12th place finish overall.
Every player in this version of the game would still be very young and learning their trade. None have gone on to earn a full international cap as yet, however there are many to keep an eye out on. It just remains to be seen if they actually stick around in Zimbabwe or are given the training and guidance they need.
Group Stage
Plate Bracket
Final Standings
