After failing to secure a place in the quarterfinals at the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies, the Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket team will be aiming to finish their campaign on a high when they face Scotland in the Plate Competition Quarter-Final 3 on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching the last eight of the competition were shattered after they lost to Afghanistan by 109 runs in their decisive Group C match last Saturday to drop from the main competition.
The loss meant the Young Chevrons finished third and failed to qualify to the Super League stage while group winners Pakistan and runners-up Afghanistan emerged from the pool, as only the two top teams from each group progressed to the Super League.
🚨 Big day at the 2022 #U19CWC 🚨
Super League Quarter-Final:
🏴 England vs South Africa 🇿🇦Plate Quarter-Finals:
🌴 West Indies vs Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe vs Scotland 🏴 pic.twitter.com/v9VCI9DXy3— ICC (@ICC) January 26, 2022
The Prosper Utseya-coached side will now be hoping to return to winning ways when they face a good Scottish side at the Queens Park Oval Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Zimbabwe, who have so far performed beyond expectations after their preparations for the global competition were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, will be aiming for a good run in the Plate Competition after losing the bid to play in the Super League.
In addition to salvaging lost pride, Utseya will be aiming to finish inside the top 11 from the 16-team global competition in order for them to secure automatic qualification for the next edition.
Zimbabwe had started their campaign with a resounding 228-run win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) before the two back-to-back defeats to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Scotland Under-19, led by Charlie Peet, on the contrary, have lost all three of their games and finished bottom of Group D and will be aiming to break their duck against Zimbabwe.