THE Zimbabwe Cricket Under-19 team has been fixtured for the ongoing domestic Pro50 Championship and will play four games against the four participating teams in their continued build up for next year’s World Cup.

Although the teenagers won’t be vying for the Pro50 Championship title, their matches have been made official and they stand to get more game time playing against the Harare Metropolitan Eagles, Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers, Manicaland Mountaineers and Midlands Rhinos.

“Obviously the boys in the squad are excited. It’s a recognition of the quality of cricket these boys are playing,” Zimbabwe Under-19 coach Steve Mangongo told H-Metro.

“ZC have seen it fit to put them in that tournament because they have seen the future in these boys. You can’t ask for anything.”

So far this year, the Under-19 squad has had a bilateral away tour of Namibia and another -a tri-series in South Africa also involving Sri Lanka.

Last month, the local boys hosted their Namibian counterparts and cruised to a 4-0 series victory.

And last week, Mangongo’s charges, trading as the ZC High Performance squad, played a warm-up game against Canada and gave a good account of themselves albeit losing the game by 71 runs.

Mangongo believes the amount of cricket they are having is what his team needs to keep pace with other ICC Full Members and be equally prepared for the global tournament.

“Modern sport has moved on; you have 17, 18 and 19 year olds playing international sport. It’s a grooming phase and it’s important for the boys to step up.

“Like I always say you don’t buy experience from Spar or OK, you get experience by playing these games.”

He added: “At the World Cup you have guys playing in IPL, in Australia and big leagues around the world so you will be rubbing shoulders with international players. Our boys need to be battle hardened.

“I am happy that’s the route we have taken and its good ZC have realised this. These boys will rub shoulders with international players and that’s the way to go.”

Zim Under-19 Pro50 Championship Fixtures

June 4        Zim Under-19            v          Tuskers                      (Old Hararians)

June 11      Zim Under-19            v          Rhinos                       (Kwekwe Sports Club)

June 18      Zim Under-19            v          Mountaineers          (Harare Sports Club)

June 25      Zim Under-19            v          Eagles                        (Harare Sports Club)