Uphill task for U-19 cricketers
International Cricket Council's (ICC)
The U-19 cricketers will take part in the qualifiers penned for
February 12-20 in Dar es Salaam. Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Uganda are
the tournament’s other participants, with the champions earning
qualification for the ICC U-19 World Cup finals.
Rhemtula said the team has yet to reach the expected level in terms
of execution of its game plan, adding that a lot needs to be done to
strengthen the team on the aspect.
‘They fail to properly execute their game plan…it will take a long
time for them to improve on the aspect.They have, however, shown
promising progress…they have proved they have the guts to give their
all,’ he said.
Rhemtula, who is also a member of the senior national cricket team,
sounded less optimistic over his team’s chances to land a place in the
ICC U19 World Cup finals, as he noted his side is less experienced and
will face well drilled opponents in the qualifiers.
‘The team is still young, it needs to gain more experience. If the
players will properly work on (the coaching panel’s) instructions, the
team will perform well…each player should know his duties,’ he said.
‘Botswana and Namibia will certainly pose threat to our chances to
progress to the ICC U19 World Cup finals. We hardly fear Kenya and
Uganda as we know the duo’s strengths and weaknesses…we have played many
friendly matches against them’.
The U-19 cricket team has lately embarked on final preparations for
the qualifiers. The squad has been playing a series of friendly matches
against the senior national cricket team at Annadil Burhani and
University of Dar es Salaam grounds on weekends.
The last Saturday’s friendly match between the two sides, played at
the University of Dar es Salaam ground, saw the senior cricketers
command an emphatic eight-wicket win, with stellar all round performance
by Riziki Kiseto playing a vital role in the former’s victory.
The U-19 youngsters went in to bat first in the 50-over game and
were bowled out for 106 runs in 41.3 overs. There was little to write
home about as far as the team’s batting was concerned, as batsmen
struggled to deal with senior squad’s experienced bowlers.
Unbeaten 12 runs off 28 balls by low order batsman, Jumanne
Mohamed, 10 runs off 15 balls by middle order batsman, Harsheed Chohan
and 10 runs off 23 balls by opening batsman Martin Kavoli turned out to
be notable performance with the bat for the U-19 squad.
Goodluck Andrea and Salum Jumbe chipped in with nine runs apiece
off 31 balls and 38 balls, respectively, as the rest of the team’s
batsmen fared dismally.
Rhemtula led senior cricket team’s bowling onslaught with an
impressive figure of 4-8 in six overs, Kiseto finished his spell with
3-18 in 9.3 overs whereas Umang Somani took 2/9 in five overs.
Senior cricketers in response chased their opponents’ score with
ease, losing two wickets in 12.4 overs. Quick dismissal of openers
Zamoyoni Ramadhan (four runs off five balls) and Athuman Siwa (two runs
off nine balls) posed no threat to the team’s chase as Kiseto (unbeaten
44 runs off 34 balls) partnered Hamisi Abdallah (unbeaten 39 runs off 28
balls) to steer the squad to the victory.
Kiseto nailed two sixes and three boundaries whereas Khamis
Abdallah, who is also senior cricket team’s skipper, exhibited his big
hitting prowess by notching four boundaries.
Medium pace Andrea stood out of the rest of the U-19 squad’s
bowlers by registering 2-18 in three overs. The two sides were expected
to meet in another friendly match at the same venue yesterday.
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