Cricket: Tanzania, Nigeria through to World Cup Africa Qualifier
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Tanzania National cricket team players with the trophy celebrate their qualification. Courtesy

Tanzania and Nigerian booked their tickets to the final Africa qualification round of the 2024 ICC World Cup in Namibia after finishing in the top two in the just-concluded ICC Men’s T20 Africa Group B qualifier held from December 1-9 in Kigali.

Tanzania beat Cameroon by 184 runs in their final Group B qualifier held Friday, December 9, at IPRC-Kigali Cricket Oval and overtook Nigeria to finish top of the Group B qualifier despite finishing level on points.

Tanzania played their last group game trailing Nigeria at the top and were hoping the Nigerians either lose their final game or win by a very narrow run rate.

The Nigerians won their last match against Ghana by 6 wickets but could not keep their top position as Tanzania outclassed them based on run rate.

Tanzania and Nigeria ended with 13 points each and are only separated on net run rate (NRR).

The Tanzanians’ 4.891 net run rate saw them finish top of the table ahead of Nigeria who finished with a net run rate of 3.739 overall.

Both teams ended the Kigali qualifier campaign unbeaten. Their match ended in a draw after it was disrupted by rain and they, as a result, shared the spoils with each side taking home one point from the draw.

They join Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya in the final round of the ICC Men’s World Cup Africa Qualifier that will take place in Namibia in 2023.

Best performing players:

Player of the tournament: Jose Bulele (Mozambique)

The best fielder: Kasimu Nasoro (Tanzania)

The best batter: Samson Kwasi (Ghana)

The best bowler: Yalinde Nkanya (Tanzania)

Most Sixes: Ivan Ismail(Tanzania)

Best Wickets keeper: John Bangura (Sierra Leone)