ICC Under19 Cricket World Cup Teams & Groups

Zimbabwe Team Profile

The team had an outstanding start to the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2006, which they will be looking to repeat in Malaysia, when they recorded victories in all three of their group matches including a brilliant two-wicket win over England.

And although they didn't win another game in the tournament, it would not be a surprise to see Zimbabwe reach the latter stages of the main competition for the third consecutive event in 2008.

Much will be expected of skipper Prince Masvaure, a gifted batsman who can also swing a ball be it old or new. Masvaure made one appearance at the 2006 event, but has since gone on to play regular first-class cricket and be named in the Zimbabwe A squad.

He believes the tournament represents an excellent opportunity to inspire the people back home, in the same way Zimbabwe's win over Australia at the ICC World Twenty20 2007 sparked celebration.

The skipper said: "It really feels like it is a big opportunity to show your talent to the world while you are still young, and make my country proud of whom we are."

And despite his side's inexperience at international level, Masvaure is hopeful they can spring some real surprises.

He said: "I think we are going to be a key team in the group together with Pakistan because they have won the competition in consecutive competitions. India should also make a big impression as they also have been finalists recently.

"I want to play hard and exciting cricket and get to win games, qualify for the Super Six, get through to the finals and finally win the World Cup."

Key players to watch will be Solomon Mire, a talented all-rounder, who has a highest List A score of 94 and has been playing senior domestic cricket for the past year, while Justin Gaisford is a highly-regarded wicket keeper batsman.

And although the side has not played as much international cricket as they would have liked in the past year, they have benefited from matches against Zimbabwe A, as well as Northerns and Gauteng in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket, where they have enjoyed varying levels of success.