Tanzania made a statement in their final match of the 2026 ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers by securing a 98-run victory over Sierra Leone at the UNILAG Cricket Oval in Lagos on Saturday.
With this win, the East African side sealed their spot in the World Cup tournament and capped off a flawless campaign with five wins from five games.
The pressure was on for Tanzania as they approached the final match, needing a win against the winless Sierra Leone to clinch qualification.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, captain Laksh Bakrania set the tone for the day, leading from the front with a gritty 53 runs off 82 balls.
His calm and collected performance in the middle overs, alongside a crucial 43 runs from teammate Agustino Mwamele, helped propel Tanzania to a competitive total of 179 all out in 49.4 overs.
Despite having little to play for, Sierra Leone came out swinging in their chase, racing to 52 runs off just 14.4 overs, leaving Tanzania fans nervous.
However, Tanzanian bowler Hamza Onai stepped up with a spell of sheer brilliance, claiming five wickets and bringing Sierra Leone’s chase to a screeching halt.
The West African team’s resilience crumbled under the pressure, folding for just 81 runs in 26.4 overs.
With the win, Tanzania secured the maximum 10 points, finishing top of the table and ensuring their place in the 2026 ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup.
Namibia, despite their four-wicket victory over Kenya, could only manage second place in the standings.
As the tournament draws to a close, the attention now turns to the final match between hosts Nigeria and Uganda, which will determine the team to secure the fourth spot in the World Cup Qualifiers group.
