Zimbabwe U19 prepare to play Pakistan

The Zimbabwe national U19 squad will be in camp from Friday September 11 in preparation for the upcoming age-group series against Pakistan U19 scheduled for the beginning of October.

A Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) spokesperson has confirmed that the Pakistan team will arrive on the 29 September, two days before their first One-Day International (ODI) in the capital.

The tour will be an exciting two week fest with the teams battling each other in a six ODI and two Twenty20 clashes from the 1-13 October. Matches will be played at Harare Sports Club as well as at two Harare schools, namely St John College, St Georges.

The head coach for the U19 squad Kevan Curran says "We have a strong base to select from going into camp, Tinotenda Mutombodzi a very effective spinner, Dylon Higgins and Nathan Waller are both hard hitters".

The Zimbabwe side will have to do without the reigning schools cricketer of the year, PJ Moor who is out on a knee injury and is currently focusing on regaining fitness for next year?s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. "This is a hard blow to the team but I hope he will be back in shape for the World Cup in 2010, we nevertheless have other all-rounders and nine players who have played at U19 level before. All our team needs to do is perfect the basics and we will get results," added Curran

In preparation for the Pakistan side which will feature their young sensational bowler Mohammed Aamer, practice matches have been scheduled against some of the local franchises and the Zim A side with the hope of bringing pace and experience to their bowling attack.