Tanzania plots Cameroon's downfall in ICC Men's T20 WC Sub Regional Africa Qualifier opener

By Japhet Kazenga , The Guardian
Published at 03:11 PM Sep 23 2024
Tanzania's men's cricket team players are pictured jubilating once they dismissed one of Mali's batsmen as the two teams met in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier A clash in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
Photo: Courtesy of Tanzania Cricket Club
Tanzania's men's cricket team players are pictured jubilating once they dismissed one of Mali's batsmen as the two teams met in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier A clash in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

TANZANIA's senior men's cricket team will be out to stretch its winning run in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier A, taking on Cameroon in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.

The tournament hosts thrashed Mali by 10 wickets in the first tie last Saturday and were then expected to face Lesotho at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) venue later yesterday.

Sanjay Bom put on an impressive bowling performance as Tanzania opened its campaign in the regional showdown gallantly, hammering Mali by 10  wickets in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

Mali batted first in the clash that took place at the UDSM venue, failing to wade off a ruthless bowling onslaught deployed by Tanzania and consequently posting 18/10 in 12.5 overs.

Mali's batting unit could hardly recover from brief spells that the opening batting pair of Theodore Macalou (two runs) and Mohamed Coulibaly (duck) managed.

The batting squad thereafter faced a batting collapse, as none of the members of the batting unit managed to notch two digits.

Skipper Yacouba Konate (three runs) and Sanze Kamate were the cricketers with the most runs in the West African nation's squad's woeful batting spell.

Five extras conceded by the hosts' bowling unit, which consisted of one bye, one leg bye, and three wides, to some extent bolstered Mali's score.

Bom spearheaded Tanzania's bowling onslaught, raking up four wickets and leaking a mere four runs in three overs.

The senior cricketer ultimately ended with the best bowling figures to deservedly lay his hands on the Player of the Match prize.

He was ably assisted by Harsheed Chohan and youthful cricketer Laksh Snehal, who grabbed two wickets apiece.

Pacer Ally Mpeka and youthful performer Halid Amiri compounded Mali's woes, ending their bowling stints with a wicket apiece.

Needing a paltry 19 runs to secure victory, Tanzania effortlessly reached the target without losing wickets in five balls.

The openers, Zafar Khan (12 runs not out, three fours) and skipper Abhik Patwa (two runs not out), easily led Tanzania to a smooth chase.

Five extras leaked by Mali made it easier for the Tanzania batsmen to reach the easy target set by the West African nation's squad.

Two more clashes took place the same day- Cameroon took on Ghana and Malawi locked horns with Lesotho. 

Richmond Baaleri had a great bowling outing, catapulting Ghana to an eight-wicket defeat of Cameroon in a tie that took place at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.

Cameroon went in to bat first and were skittled for a mere 40 runs in 14.2 overs.

The Obed Harvey-led Ghana confidently chased the opponents' total, dropping two wickets in 8.1 overs.

Sami Sohail had an impressive day with the bat as Malawi beat Lesotho by 93 runs on the same ground.

Malawi took the crease first and ended with 144/4 in 20 overs, with batsmen deployed at the top order contributing immensely to the score.

Sohail, deployed at number three, was the batsman with the most runs for the batting squad- grabbing a 46-ball 61.

Opening batsman Donnex Kasonkho put solid shots to show as well, posting 30 runs.

Chasing 145 runs to garner victory happened to be a tall order for Lesotho, as they were skittled for 52 runs in 14.5 overs.

Suhail Vayani and Daniel Jakiel ensured Malawi successfully waded off a plan by Lesotho to reach the target after grabbing four wickets apiece.

Sunday was further than set to see Cameroon face fellow West African nation squad of Mali in the morning.

Ghana was aiming at bouncing back as they confronted Malawi the same day.