THE Zimbabwe Cricket Under-19 squad upped the tempo in their preparations for the tour by the West Indies with a two-wicket victory over Midlands Rhinos in a One Day match played at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Rising speedstar Dion Mazhawidza (5-28) skittled the Rhinos top order leaving them reeling at 41-4 inside the first powerplay. 

Spinners Liam Roche (2-14) and Milton Shumba (2-20) completed wrapped up the innings as Rhinos were all out for 101 in 31,4 overs with Jameson Chikowero top scoring with 30.

Zimbabwe Under-19 had a shaky run chase but managed to get home at 102-8 in 19,2 overs with Shumba (37 not out) stubborn enough to frustrate Rhinos and resist raging Mike Chinouya (4-39) and Richard Muzhange (2-37).

Steve Mangongo, the Zimbabwe Under-19 head coach, told Sportszone.co.zw that this triumph is testimony of the hard yards the teenagers are outing in.

“The boys are exhibiting good skills required at Under-19 international youth level due to the hard long hours they are putting at training. So I am not surprised by this victory,” he said.

Mangongo’s charges are not resting as this Sunday they will be back in the field facing Manicaland Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club.

The Zimbabwe Under-19 has played two games losing one to Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers by eight wickets before recovering with a win over Rhinos.