Bakrania shines as Tanzania claim shock U19 Men's Cricket World Cup spot

Tanzania have shocked the field in Nigeria, going five matches unbeaten to take the African regional qualification spot for next year's ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup.

Laksh Bakrania's side closed out tournament victory with a win over Sierra Leone, the last of their round robin fixtures to finish with a perfect 10 points to hold off Namibia (eight points) and Kenya (six points) for the World Cup spot.

A jubilant Tanzania side celebrate U19 Men's Cricket World Cup qualification

The Tanzanians are the first team to qualify via the regional qualification pathways, a feat made more remarkable considering the team entered the competition from the Division Two phase back in August 2024.

There was an element of history repeating itself at the competition, with skipper Bakrania once again haunting the Namibians, like he did four years ago at the same competition as a 14-year-old in Rwanda.

Rewind: Then 14-year-old Bakrania shocks Namibia in 2021

Claiming a match-winning five-wicket haul with his left-arm orthodox against the Namibians in 2021, the now-senior international and U19s captain claimed 2/17 (10) and made an invaluable 34 with the bat as his side held on in a 17-run win.

The win meant the Tanzanians created separation from the tournament favourites, closing out competition victory thanks to subsequent wins over Kenya and Sierra Leone.

A delighted Bakrania struggled to hold back the emotion upon qualification.

"I am lost for words and it’s unbelievable that we have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in our history," Bakrania said.

“It is a great moment for the country of Tanzania, and it is down to the hard work of the team and the support and encouragement from the Tanzania Cricket Association.

"At the World Cup in 2026, we shall give our best to compete among other great nations.”

Tanzania are the 12th team to qualify for the event, with 10 teams automatically qualifying for the event as the best-placed Full Member nations from the previous event in 2024 (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies).

Full Member hosts of the 2026 edition Zimbabwe have automatic qualification.

Four places for the tournament are yet to be decided, with one place up for grabs in each of the four remaining regional finals.

Asia and East Asia-Pacific qualification places will be decided in April, with European and Americas qualifiers concluding in August.