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New Zealand Under-19s – 332 all out in 46.5 overs (Hugo Bogue 115, Jacob Cotter 54, Brandon Matzopoulos 43; Shelton Mazvitorera 3/56, Leeroy Chiwaula 2/26, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 2/50)
Zimbabwe Under-19s – 218 all out in 40.3 overs (Brandon Senzere 66*, Leeroy Chiwaula 31, Michael Blignaut 23; Harry Burns 3/43, Callum Samson 2/15, Jacob Cotter 1/16)
New Zealand Under-19s won by 114 runs
Brandon Senzere’s resolute unbeaten 66 provided a positive note for Zimbabwe Under-19s, but it was not enough to prevent a 114-run defeat against New Zealand Under-19s in their final warm-up match ahead of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 at Masvingo Sports Club on Monday.
The fixture marked Zimbabwe’s last competitive outing before the start of the global showpiece, which they will co-host with Namibia from 15 January to 6 February, and offered valuable preparation against strong opposition.
After winning the toss and opting to field, the home side made an early breakthrough when Shelton Mazvitorera bowled out opener Aryan Mann for two in the opening over.
New Zealand, however, recovered quickly through a commanding second-wicket partnership between Hugo Bogue and captain Tom Jones who added 120 runs in under 12 overs.
Jones contributed 40 before his dismissal, while Bogue went on to produce a standout innings, scoring 115 off just 75 balls, including seven sixes and 13 fours.
Zimbabwe found some relief when Bogue became the fifth wicket to fall, with the score on 192 in the 23rd over.
New Zealand maintained momentum through another productive stand, with Jacob Cotter (54) and Brandon Matzopoulos (43) adding 77 runs for the sixth wicket in just over 15 overs.
Further late contributions pushed the visitors to a formidable 332, before they were bowled out in 46.5 overs.
In reply, Kupakwashe Muradzi (20) and Dhruv Patel (15) made a steady start, sharing an opening stand of 29 in five overs.
However, Zimbabwe’s top order was unable to build on that foundation, with the first three wickets falling for 44 runs and the top five dismissed by the time the score reached 105, captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere’s 23 the highest contribution among them.
Senzere, batting at number six, was the first to stabilise the innings.
Michael Blignaut provided brief impetus with an aggressive 23 off 14 balls, striking two sixes and two fours, while Leeroy Chiwaula adopted a similar approach, hitting three sixes in his 31 off 31 deliveries.
After Chiwaula was dismissed with the score on 186 for seven, wickets fell in quick succession.
Senzere then assumed greater responsibility, bringing up his half-century and continuing to bat positively until the final wicket fell, leaving him unbeaten on 66.
His knock came off 83 balls and included three sixes and two fours, underlining his composure and fighting spirit.
Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 218 in 40.3 overs.
For New Zealand, medium-pacer Harry Burns was the most successful bowler, finishing with three wickets for 43 runs from six overs.
Zimbabwe will now turn their attention to the start of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, opening their Group B campaign against Scotland at Takashinga Cricket Club on 15 January, before facing England and Pakistan at the same venue on 18 and 22 January respectively.
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