Tanzania Win Nail-Biter

Preparations for the ICC Under-19s Men’s Cricket World Cup continued with West Indies, Pakistan and Tanzania all winning their warm-up matches.

​Tanzania clinched a nail-biting encounter with Ireland by one wicket, recovering from 21 for six to chase 198, while the West Indies were victorious over Japan by 229 runs.

​Pakistan eased past the USA by 69 runs, while Bangladesh’s match with Scotland was eventually abandoned because of rain.

​Tanzania fight back to defeat Ireland

Tanzania elected to field first and their decision paid dividends as they dismissed Ireland for 197, Khalidy Juma leading the way with five for 35.

Discipline with the ball repeatedly stopped Ireland from building partnerships, despite defiant knocks from Adam Leckey (38) and Freddie Ogilby (36).

Tanzania’s response got off to a difficult start, Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra falling for ducks as they slipped to seven for two.

Wickets continued to fall early, with Oliver Riley removing all of Tanzania’s top four batters to put his side in control with Tanzania reeling on 21 for six.

​However, Mohamed Simba Mbaki was undeterred and sparked Tanzia’s resurgence, scoring 49 from 59 before being removed by Luke Murray having dragged his side to 134 for eight.

​Abdulazak Mohamedi continued the resistance with 46 from 68 deliveries, which was backed up by Acrey Hugo’s 29 not out from 48.

That put Tanzania in striking distance at 190 for nine and Ally Hafidhi then came in and wrapped up victory.

​West Indies dominate Japan

West Indies warmed up in style with a dominant 229-run victory over Japan in Windhoek.

West Indies were put into bat first and got off to a fine start as Tanez Francis and Zachary Carter put on 40 for the first wicket in just seven overs.

​Francis, who finished on 122 not out, and Shamar Apple later put on 194 for the fifth wicket to take their side out of sight.

​Apple’s 124 came from just 65 deliveries, including 10 fours and eight sixes.

​West Indies set Japan an imposing target of 347 for victory and Taylor Waugh (32) led the charge but wickets fell consistently around him as they were bowled out for 117.

R’Jai Gittens was the pick of the bowlers with figures of four for eight, while Vitel Lawes took a further three wickets.

​Pakistan ease past USA

​Pakistan defeated the USA by 69 runs in Bulawayo after impressive performances with bat and ball.

​Pakistan’s opening pair, Sameer Minhas and Mohammed Shayan, put on 105 before Sameer retired out having made 74 off 55 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes.

​Almost all of Pakistan’s batters earned starts, with eight reaching double figures. Ahmad Hussain impressed for his 43 from 62 balls, and Ali Hassan Baloch scored a quick-fire 36 from 19 balls, featuring two fours and three maximums.

​Pakistan went on to score 294 from their 50 overs and bowled well in response, bowling the USA out for 225.

​The attack shared the load as seven bowlers took wickets, which fell at regular intervals to curb any US momentum.

​Momin Qamar and Abdul Subhan both made sizeable impacts, taking two for 24 and two for 27, respectively.

​There were positives to take for the USA batting line-up, however, particularly Sahil Garg’s knock of 75 from 83.

Rain abandons play between Bangladesh and Scotland

Bangladesh’s contest with Scotland was abandoned late on with the Tigers agonisingly close to victory.

The Tigers could sense victory after the Scottish innings was reduced to 20 overs but rain meant there could be no further play.

​Bangladesh scored 161 for four from their 29.2 overs, opener Rifat Beg leading the charge with an unbeaten 75.

Shreyas Tekale impressed the ball for Scotland, removing Kalam Siddiki (25) and Rizan Hossan (10) to end on two for 19.

​In tough conditions, the Scottish batters struggled to respond. Max Chaplin top-scored with 31 from 27 deliveries backed up by Theo Robinson’s 27 from 24.

​Only two others reached double figures, with Md Samiun Ratul taking three for 15, including the wickets of Chaplin and Robinson.

​That left them on the cusp of victory with Scotland requiring 54 from their final 15 balls but rain meant no result could be reached.

Scores in brief:

Ireland v Tanzania at Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek

​ Ireland 194 all out in 46.1 overs (Adam Leckey 38, Freddie Ogilby 36; Khalidy Juma 5/35, Augustine Mwamele 2/33)

Tanzania 201/9 from 44.2 overs (Simba Mbaki 49, Abdulazak Mohamedi 46; Oliver Riley 5/28, Adam Leckey 2/30)

Result: Tanzania won by one wicket

West Indies v Japan at United Cricket Club, Windhoek

West Indies 346/6 from 50 overs (Shamar Apple 124, Tanez Francis 122*; Kai Wall 2/36, Gabriel Hinze 1/17)

Japan 117 all out in 42.3 overs (Taylor Waugh 32, Chihaya Sekine 28; R’Jai Gittens 4/8, Vitel Lawes 3/28)

Result: West Indies won by 229 runs

Pakistan v USA at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo

Pakistan 294/8 from 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 74, Ahmad Hussain 43; Utkarsh Srivastava 3/26, Adit Kappa 2/56)

USA 225 all out in 43.5 overs (Sahil Garg 75, Utkarsh Srivastava 36; Ahmad Hussain 2/22, Momin Qamar 2/24)​

Result: Pakistan win by 69 runs

Bangladesh v Scotland at Prince Edward School Ground, Harare

​Bangladesh 161/4 from 29.2 overs (Rifat Beg 75, Kalam Siddiki 25; Shreyas Tekale 2/19, Ethan Ramsay 1/24)​

Scotland 122/9 from 19.3 overs (Max Chaplin 31, Theo Robinson 27; Md Samiun Ratul 3/15, Rizan Hossan 2/10)

Result: Abandoned