TANZANIA's national U-19 men's cricket team is out to stay within reach of progression to the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, as the side locks horns with neighbours Kenya U-19 in the Africa Qualifier in Lagos, Nigeria today.

Today's encounter will have a strong bearing on either team's pursuit of qualification for the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Therefore, nothing but victory is needed to bolster the squads' respective campaigns.

Tanzania U-19 cricketers have, against all odds, emerged as serious contenders for a ticket to the grand stage of the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, having emerged victorious in their previous three ties.

The junior cricketers gallantly opened their campaign in the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier, trouncing Uganda U-19 by 73 runs last weekend.

Tanzania U-19 cricketers thereafter made it two wins out of two outings, following their 122-run victory over tournament hosts Nigeria U-19 the same weekend.

The East African nation's junior cricketers then defied critics with a stellar display to command a hard-fought 17-run win over favourites Namibia U-19 on Tuesday.

The outcomes have, as a result, pushed Tanzania U-19 to the top of the tournament's table, having garnered a 1.413 Net Run Rate.

Second-placed Kenya U-19 boasts two victories in two outings and they were, yesterday, aiming for a third win in a row as they confronted tournament hosts Nigeria U-19.

Tanzania U-19 will once again need all of their key players, some of whom are skipper Laksh Bakrania and pacer Khalid Amiri, to be in great form to stand a chance of getting the better of Kenya U-19.

The Yash Gohil-led Kenya U-19 has so far been a hard nut to crack, having put a solid showing to convincingly secure victory in their previous two ties.

In their opening clash, Kenya U-19 thumped Sierra Leone U-19 by 58 runs last Friday, and in the second tie, Kenya U-19 commanded a seven-wicket defeat of the other neighbours, Uganda U-19, on Sunday.

In the other fixture scheduled for today, Nigeria U-19 will be battling to ensure they hold on to their place in the Africa Qualifier, as they come up against Sierra Leone U-19 at the UNILAG Oval.

Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) venue are hosting the U-19 squads of Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda in a round-robin format of 15 matches over eight days in a winner-takes-all contest.

The winner of the tournament will end their long trek and secure qualification to the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 while the bottom three teams will be relegated to Division 2.

Reacting to the tournament being staged in Nigeria, the president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata said: “On behalf of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, I warmly welcome you to the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier being hosted here in the beautiful city of Lagos."

"More than just a competition, this tournament is a celebration of Africa’s cricketing future and Nigeria’s rising role on the global stage. Our Iconic venues, steeped in tradition and buzzing with excitement, are ready to showcase your skill and talent to the world," the NCF president added.

He said: “Cricket is thriving across Nigeria and our continent, uniting nations and inspiring our youth and this qualifier, featuring stars from all the participating countries, marks a proud milestone in that journey.”