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Tanzania lower-order batters pulled off a herculean task in the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026 warm-up game against Ireland on January 13 in Windhoek. Chasing a target of 198, Tanzania had lost six wickets for just 21 runs in the 10th over. But, they managed to make a comeback and won the game by a wicket with 34 balls to spare.
Earlier, Tanzania skipper Laksh Bakrania won the toss and opted to bowl first. Khalidy Juma claimed a five-wicket haul in just 7.1 overs as Ireland were bowled out for 197. Freddie Ogilby (36), Rob O'Brien (30), Adam Leckey (38) and Mark Bates (33) got starts but could not convert them into big scores. In the slog overs, Juma cleaned up the tail with three wickets from four deliveries.
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Collapse in run chase
Oliver Riley wreaked havoc with the new ball. In consecutive overs, he got the wickets of Dylan Thakrar, Darpan Jobanputra and Karim Kiseto. He dismissed Omary Ramadhani for a single-digit score as well. Leckey did damage with the new ball too, dismissing Augustino Mwamele and Ayaan Shariff. In 9.4 overs Tanzania were 21/6.
Bakrania and Simba Mbaki tried to steady the ship after a monumental batting collapse. Skipper Bakrania stayed at the crease for 10 overs. He lost his wicket to Callum Armstrong in the 20th over for a 30-ball 12.
Missed milestones but victory snatched from jaws of defeat
Then, Mbaki and Abdulazak Mohamedi shared a crucial 64-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Mbaki missed his fifty as Luke Murray returned to attack and got a breakthrough. He scored 49 runs from 59 deliveries, including four fours and a six.
When Mbaki departed, Tanzania had 134 on the board. They needed another partnership and wicketkeeper-batter Acrey Hugo lived up to the expectations. With eight runs to win, there was another twist in the tale. Riley returned to complete his fifer with the wicket of Mohamedi. He scored 46 runs from 68 deliveries, featuring five fours and a six. Eight runs were needed with one wicket in hand. Hugo and Ally Hafidh held on to their nerves to finish the run chase on the second ball of the 45th over. Tanzania finished the run chase with a boundary as Riley was left in disbelief despite a fifer. Hugo remained unbeaten for 29 off 48 balls.
Tanzania win two in a row
This was Tanzania's second win in the warm-up clashes. Earlier, they beat Japan by 81 runs as per DLS method. In a rain-affected game, they bowled out Japan for 45 in 14.3 overs.
Tanzania have been placed in Group D alongside West Indies, South Africa and Afghanistan. Tanzania will begin their campaign against West Indies on January 15.
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