KEY POINTS
- Vitel Lawes took 3/23 to spark Tanzania’s collapse from 53/2 to 122 all out
- Openers Thakrar and Jobanputra added 53 before losing eight wickets for 69 runs
- Francis and Andrew shared an 80-run stand to steady West Indies’ pursuit of 123
- West Indies reached 123/5 in 21 overs, with 174 balls remaining
WINDHOEK, Namibia: A disciplined bowling attack and a composed half-century from opener Tanez Francis pushed West Indies to a commanding five-wicket victory over Tanzania in their opening Group D fixture of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 at the High Performance Oval on Thursday.
Bowlers trigger Tanzanian collapse
Choosing to field first, West Indies reaped immediate rewards despite a steady opening stand from Tanzania.
Openers Dylan Thakrar (26) and Darpan Jobanputra (19) navigated the early stages to put on 53 runs.
However, the dismissal of both set batters in quick succession sparked a dramatic collapse.
The Tanzanian innings unravelled, losing their final eight wickets for just 69 runs to be bundled out for 122 in 34 overs.
The wickets were shared around, with pacer Vitel Lawes leading the charge with 3/23, well-supported by Shaquan Belle and Micah McKenzie with two scalps each.
Francis anchors an efficient chase
In pursuit of a modest 123, the Caribbean suffered an early setback but were steadied by a decisive 80-run partnership between Tanez Francis and Jewel Andrew.
Francis anchored the innings with a measured 52 off 55 balls, while Andrew provided brisk support with a 44-ball 44.
The middle order stuttered slightly, losing three quick wickets, but the target was never in serious doubt.
The Caribbean side reached 123/5 in just 21 overs, securing victory with 174 balls to spare.
Tanzania’s Augustino Mwamele and Raymond Francis claimed two wickets each in a fighting effort.
Rain washes out Harare opener
In other tournament news, the opening Group C match in Harare between co-hosts Zimbabwe and Scotland was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain. Both teams were awarded a point each.
