Tanzania produced a dominant display at the UDSM Ground, booking their place in the tournament’s semi-finals with a convincing victory over Ghana. Batting first, Tanzania piled on a formidable total of 215 runs in just 35.4 overs.
Opener Karim Kiseto was the star of the show, smashing a belligerent 91 runs off 82 balls, while Dylan Thakrar provided valuable support with a solid 47 off 52 balls. Ghana’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Lee Nyarko (4-60) and David Ateak (3-21) being the only ones to take wickets consistently.
In reply, Ghana’s batting crumbled under the relentless pressure applied by Tanzania’s bowling attack. Fast bowler Khalidy Amiri ripped through the top order, taking 3 wickets in a single over (5th) to leave Ghana reeling at 7-5.
Despite some resistance from Aariz Sood and Bernard Neequaye (41-run partnership), Ghana’s batting collapsed entirely. Laksh Bakrania (4-11 in 2.3 overs) and Khalidy Juma (4-18 in 6 overs) ran riot, dismantling the remaining batsmen.
Ghana was bundled out for a mere 53 runs in 16.3 overs, handing Tanzania a resounding 162-run victory. This win not only secured Tanzania’s place in the semi-finals having defeated Nigeria previously but also cemented Karim Kiseto’s position as the tournament’s leading run-scorer so far.
Player Quotes:
- Karim Kiseto (Player of the Match, Tanzania): “I’m grateful to my teammates and the Almighty for this win. Our team spirit is fantastic, and that’s reflecting in our results. While missing out on a century is a bit disappointing, the team’s victory is all that matters.”
- Lee Nyarko (Captain, Ghana): “We simply didn’t play good cricket today. We’ll look to bounce back stronger in the next match.”
Nigeria Sets New Tournament Record with Massive Win Over Mozambique
Nigeria stole the show at the Gymkhana Ground, setting a new tournament record for the highest total with a mammoth 362/8 in their 50 overs against Mozambique.
Hossana Omokhobio laid the foundation with a well-constructed 69 off 95 balls, while Peculiar Egamasi (53 off 48 balls) and Gafar Kareem (quickfire 45 off 32 balls) provided crucial middle-order impetus. Mozambique’s bowlers, despite valiant efforts, couldn’t contain the run flow. Eugenio Azine (3-58) and Charles Mbebe (2-58) were the only wicket-takers of note.
In response, Mozambique’s batting lineup crumbled under the weight of a massive target, managing only 48 runs before being dismissed in 18.5 overs. Antonio Laice (20 off 44 balls) was the lone batsman to reach double digits.
Gafar Kareem continued his all-round brilliance, picking up 3 wickets for just 10 runs, while O. Isiyaku provided excellent support with his 3-16 spell. Nigeria emerged victorious by a staggering 314 runs.
Player Quote:
- Gafar Kareem (Player of the Match, Nigeria): “Batting first was a great decision considering the flat wicket and scoring opportunities. We have a crucial match against Ghana coming up, and we aim to keep this momentum going.”
Match Scorecards:
Upcoming Fixtures (Monday, August 5th, 2024):
- UDSM Ground: Rwanda vs Botswana
- Dar Gymkhana Ground: Malawi vs Sierra Leone
Courtesy Photos
