TAKASHINGA showcased everything good after hosting seven matches during the group stages of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup.
The debut host had everything: thrilling moments, fierce competition, and an electrifying atmosphere throughout the seven match days.
On the pitch, spectators were treated to a batting masterclass by the English prodigy, Ben Mayes, who pushed toward a double century against Scotland, only to fall agonisingly short by nine runs, leaving fans buzzing with excitement. People get attached to a stadium because of the history they witness first hand unfolding.
The packed crowd that came to the game last Sunday to watch the match between the host and England were treated to some great six-hitting by Zimbabwe all-rounder Tatenda Chimugoro in his little cameo of 30 from 25 balls, giving the fans in the stands some voice when England was all over Zimbabwe.
Then came the tense match last Thursday, with qualification for the Super Six at stake. Nathaniel Hlabangana summoned all his experience from the previous World Cup and batted like he was batting on a different pitch than his teammates.
His well-constructed 59 from 85 balls made sure that when some of the legacy issues of Zimbabwe hosting the ICC Under-19 World Cup are spoken about, people who had never seen Hlabangana bat will talk about how he fought a lone battle that helped his motherland qualify for the Super Six.
In fact, his exploits, in a way, saved the tournament because if Zimbabwe had exited at the group stages, the local interest in the tournament would have died down significantly. Then came the crunch time when Pakistan was batting and Zimbabwe was trying to stay in the tournament. It was tense, and you could hear a pin drop when Pakistan was cruising in their run chase.
However, when the news started filtering into the ground that all the Young Chevrons had to do was to make sure that if Pakistan was going to win, they must only do it after 25.2 overs, every dot ball was cheered like a wicket had fallen. When the second ball of the 26th over was bowled, there was joy and jubilation in the stands; Zimbabwe had qualified for the Super Six.
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There were hugs all around, with some still stunned because after 10 overs, Zimbabwe looked half dead and ready to be buried. Takashinga was probably the best ground for such drama, as the name suggests; the Elton Chigumbura-led team had prevailed against all odds.
The hosting of the World Cup at Takashinga was not only about the cricket and the fans but a vibrant blend of sporting prowess and star-studded attendance by important dignitaries, which made the tournament a spectacle to remember, uniting cricket fans and the community in shared jubilation.
Also in attendance during the crucial Zimbabwe versus Pakistan match was Murewa West Member of Parliament, Farai Jere, who is also the president of Harare football giants CAPS United.
He watched the match in his capacity as the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports, arts and recreation. One of the key mandates of Jere's portfolio committee is holding accountable the responsible authorities on the maintenance and improvement of sporting facilities in the country.
"We are watching this World Cup in Highfield, Takashinga grounds here, which actually used to be more like a taboo; it used not to happen. Cricket was an elite game, which you used to see in the lower density," Jere said.
"Look at where we are now, and I'm also told that in Masvingo there is another stadium and another one being built in Victoria Falls."
Jere, being a sport administrator, understands the role played by sport in bettering the life of youths.
"You realise that if we take this sport to the grassroots, to our people in the grassroots, it's going to generate interest in the kids," he added.
"We actually stay in those areas; we take them away from drugs, and it is going to have a push factor whereby we are going now to have a lot of infrastructure in the areas which used to be marginalised, which used to host such matches.
“And I'm very excited that as we are here, the team has qualified for the next round, which is also very good and is also very exciting."
Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Lyshanda Moyas, added beauty and colour to the match-day experience, taking time to interact with fans from all walks of life during the match between Zimbabwe and England, which saw the biggest crowd ever seen at Takashinga.
Writing on her Facebook page, she said: "Yesterday I had the pleasure of experiencing my new passion, cricket. It's unfortunate we couldn't win the match, but I am rooting for the boys. We have got this."
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume, was impressed with how a part of what used to be the Zimbabwe Grounds was transformed into a world-class stadium that can host a World Cup, especially at a time when the issues of dilapidated stadiums are topical.
"We are happy with what we have seen here at Takashinga, how they managed to transform this place into a world-class facility," Mafume said.
"They have approached us with the view of taking over the Zimbabwe Grounds, which house football fields and a basketball court. They want to maintain the whole area and give it a face-lift but still give access to everyone in the community who wants to use the grounds. As a council, after following all the channels, we feel it is a win-win situation."
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe play against last year's runners-up, India, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo in their first match of the Super Six stage, booming with confidence after dodging a bullet. Head coach Chigumbura, as usual, is taking it nice and easy.
"We turned a corner; the boys are now playing at a different level, which means we also have to bring in our A game if we are to get the desired results," Chigumbura told Standardsport.
"Everybody is relishing the challenge, and it's good that we carry forward a clean bill of health; we're looking forward to a good game."
