WINDHOEK, Namibia — West Indies Under-19s launched their quest for a second ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup crown with a five-wicket victory over debutants Tanzania, though the performance stopped short of being fully convincing at the High Performance Oval.
After sending Tanzania in, the Caribbean side eventually dismissed the tournament newcomers for 122 in 34 overs before reaching their target at 124 for five in just 21 overs. The result lifted West Indies to the top of Group D, which also features Afghanistan and South Africa.
Tanzania’s confident start sparks early belief
Playing in their first-ever Under-19 World Cup match, Tanzania showed no signs of intimidation early on. Openers Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra laid a solid foundation with a 53-run stand in just under 14 overs, placing their side firmly in control through the opening hour.
That momentum, however, was abruptly halted when Jonathan van Lange induced a breakthrough, having Jobanputra caught at fine leg by a diving Shaquan Belle for 19 off 46 deliveries.
Belle ignites the collapse
From that moment, Belle became the central figure in Tanzania’s undoing. Four runs after the first breakthrough, he struck again, this time with the ball, removing Thakrar for a top score of 26 off 38 balls.
Sharp fielding continued to apply pressure as Belle was involved in the run-out of Ayaan Shariff for one, before dismissing Augustino Mwamele for five. Tanzania slid from a position of promise to 67 for four in short order.
The collapse deepened when captain Laksh Bakrania, Abdulazak Mohamedi, and Simba Mbaki Mohamedi all fell in quick succession, leaving the African side reeling at 86 for seven.
Lower-order resistance from Khalidy Juma (12) and Acrey Hugo (10) nudged Tanzania past the 100-run mark, but left-arm spinner Vitel Lawes swiftly cleaned up the tail.
Lawes finished with 3 for 23, while Micah McKenzie claimed 2 for 15 and Belle supported impressively with 2 for 23 in a dominant bowling effort.
West Indies chase begins with authority
West Indies began their pursuit aggressively, highlighted by Zachary Carter launching Juma over mid-on for a towering six to end the third over. His innings was short-lived, however, as Mwamele struck back immediately, rattling Carter’s stumps to leave the score at 20 for one.
That dismissal merely brought together the match-defining partnership.
Francis and Andrew take control
Tanez Francis and Jewel Andrew dismantled Tanzania’s bowling with a fluent 80-run stand for the second wicket that placed the contest firmly beyond reach.
Both batters looked poised for half-centuries before Andrew fell against the run of play, caught and bowled by Bakrania for a polished 44 off 44 balls, an innings that featured six fours and a six.
Francis reached his fifty with a boundary off Mwamele, but the bowler struck back two deliveries later, trapping him lbw for 52 off 55 balls. His innings included five fours and a six.
Brief stumble before calm finish
A sudden wobble followed as captain Joshua Dorne (5) and van Lange (0) departed cheaply, reducing West Indies from a commanding position to 114 for five and briefly reviving Tanzanian hopes.
Shamar Apple and Belle ensured there would be no further drama, calmly guiding their side home. Apple sealed the victory in style, striking Juma for four to bring the chase to a close.
Mwamele was Tanzania’s most effective bowler with 2 for 17, while Raymond Francis supported with 2 for 23.
West Indies will next face Afghanistan on Sunday as they look to build momentum in Group D.
