In a dominant display at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, West Indies secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Tanzania on Friday. The match, held in Johannesburg, showcased the Caribbean side’s superior skills as they chased down the target with ease.
Tanzania, making their debut in the tournament, struggled from the outset. Electing to bat first after winning the toss, they were bundled out for a paltry 76 runs in just 25.3 overs. West Indies’ bowlers were relentless, with left-arm spinner Ashmead Ali claiming a remarkable 5/19, dismantling the Tanzanian batting lineup single-handedly.
Fellow spinner Andre Khan supported with 3/25, ensuring no Tanzanian batsman could settle in. The highest score for Tanzania came from opener Akhil Patel with 20 runs, highlighting their inexperience at this level.
Chasing a modest 77, West Indies lost five wickets but never looked in trouble. Opener Jewel Andrew top-scored with 34 runs, while captain Matthew Tromp remained unbeaten on 19. The winning runs came in the 18th over, giving West Indies a comfortable victory and boosting their net run rate significantly.
Meanwhile, rain played spoilsport in the other Super Sixes match between Zimbabwe and Scotland at East London. The game was abandoned without a ball being bowled, leaving both teams with no points from the fixture. This washout adds pressure on both sides as they fight for semifinal spots.
West Indies now sit pretty in Group 2 with two wins from two matches, while Tanzania’s campaign faces an uphill battle. The tournament continues with more thrilling encounters ahead, promising young talents from around the world.