TANZANIA's national U-19 women's cricket team has stepped up its preparations for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier with a series of trials at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) venue last week.

The trials, according to the Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Media & Communication officer, Atif Salim, sought to identify the best young female cricketers who will represent the country in the ICC U-19 Women's World Cup Qualifier scheduled for August in Rwanda.

Salim revealed that under the supervision of head coach Arun Yadav, 28 promising girls were divided into two teams, Tarangire Girls and Ruaha Girls, and participated in three trial games.

Yadav's objective was to observe how the girls perform under pressure, emphasizing that their performance in these trials is critical.

The TCA Media & Communication officer said on the final day of the trials, the association's Chairman Balakrishna Sreekumar visited the UDSM ground to witness the conclusion of the matches.

During his visit, Sreekumar addressed the young female cricketers, offering encouragement and motivation.

Salim noted that Sreekumar emphasized that failure to make a selection for the final squad should hardly be the end of the journey for the cricketers, urging the girls to continue practicing and improving their skills.

As a token of appreciation and support, Salim noted, Sreekumar handed over protein bars to all 28 participants of the trials.

The final list of 18 cricketers was, according to Salim, set to be announced the same week, marking the second step in forming the team that will battle it out in Rwanda.

The trials, Salim added, represent a significant milestone in the development of women's cricket in Tanzania, showcasing the talent and dedication of the young players.

The national U-19 women's team trials at the UDSM ground, he stressed, have highlighted the potential and commitment of Tanzania's young female cricketers.

Salim stated that with the ICC U-19 Women's World Cup Qualifier on the horizon, the trials were crucial for building a competitive team slated to represent the nation in the regional showdown.

The official said that the guidance from tactician Yadav and the support from the TCA Chairman, Sreekumar, have been instrumental in motivating the female cricketers to strive for excellence.

As the final squad was slated to be announced, the focus will shift to preparing for the challenge ahead in Rwanda.

Qualification for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup has a series of regional qualification tournaments to determine the final four places at the global showpiece slated to be hosted by Malaysia and Thailand. 

In another development, TCA expressed its delight that Tanzania's national women's cricket team has been honoured as the Best Tanzania National Women's Team in the 2023 National Sports Council Awards. 

The award was accepted with great pride by TCA Chairman Sreekumar at the ceremony held in Dar es Salaam recently.

Salim stated the prestigious recognition underscores the national women's cricket team's exceptional performance and unwavering dedication throughout the year.

The official revealed winning this award is a significant milestone for women's cricket in Tanzania, highlighting the sport's growing importance and the incredible talent in the national team.

 He congratulated the squad for the outstanding achievement, adding the female cricketers' hard work, perseverance, and skill have not only brought immense pride to the nation but also served as a beacon of inspiration for young girls aspiring to excel in sports.

The national women's golf team and national women's football squad 'Twiga Stars' were also the nominees for Best Tanzania National Women's Team in the 2023 National Sports Council Awards.

Achievements that helped the national women's cricket team grab the honour include the qualification for the 2023 All-Africa Games' women's cricket competition, held in Ghana from March 7-13, 2024.

The national women's cricket squad, moreover, lifted the silverware in this year's edition of the prestigious women's cricket showpiece on the continent, namely the Nigeria Invitational Women's T20 International tournament.

The Nigeria Cricket Federation-organized showpiece took place at Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos from February 25 to March 3.

It climaxed with Neema Pius-led national women's cricket team garnering a resounding 92-run victory over Sierra Leone to lift the title.