Copdock & Old Ipswichian’s young all-rounder, Donald Mlambo, scored a half-century for Zimbabwe Under-19s in the Under-19s World Cup, currently being hosted by New Zealand, on Wednesday evening.

East Anglian Daily Times: Donald Mlambo, a member of the Zimbabwean team at the Under-19s World Cup in New ZealandDonald Mlambo, a member of the Zimbabwean team at the Under-19s World Cup in New Zealand (Image: Archant)

Mlambo has been a member of the Zimbabwean squad all tournament, having featured in a warm-up game (against New Zealand), but he did not make his debut until the Plate semi-final, against Sri Lanka.

Mlambo opened the batting and scored 52 runs as Zimbabwe reached 259 for four, off their 50 overs.

Mlambo, aged 18, hit four boundaries and faced 104 balls in his 128-minute stay at the crease, sharing a 60-run stand with Alistair Frost (28) for the second wicket and 75 with Jayden Schadendorf (74) for the third wicket.

However, Sri Lanka, despite tottering at one stage on 65 for four, reached their target off 45.3 overs, Nishan Madushka scoring an unbeaten 109 in a five-wicket win. Zimbabwe used nine bowlers, but Mlambo was not one of them.