Botswana produced the shock of the Africa Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers when they Uganda by 27 runs to reach the semi-finals in Benoni on Monday.
Botswana's unexpected victory eliminated Tanzania from the semi-final on net run-rate after the duo along with Uganda ended up at four points each from three matches. In Wednesday's semi-finals, Uganda meets Namibia while Kenya faces Botswana. Kenya topped Pool One after conjuring up a four-wicket victory over Zambia while Namibia finished second after defeating Ghana by 172 runs, courtesy of an unbeaten century by Sean Silver.
In the Botswana-Uganda match, Botswana scored 192 for 8 after being put into bat with contributions from Karan Kapoor (54) and Nadeem Tajbhay (36) while Emmanuel Nakaana bagged 3 for 45. In turn, Uganda was dismissed for 165 in 44 overs after losing their last seven wickets for 54.
Tanzania, in their last match, carved out a 153-run victory over Nigeria. Athumani Kakonzi (70) and Seif Abdul (68) put on 123 for the second wicket to set the platform for Tanzania's 296 in 49.5 overs. Nigeria, in its target chase, were bowled out for 143.
Silver scored 101 to inspire Namibia to a 172-run victory over Ghana and featured in a 117-run second wicket partnership with Tiaan Louw (62) as Namibia scored 287 for 6. Ghana were dismissed for 115 with Elandre Oosthuizen taking 4 for 39 and Louis Petrus van der Westhuizen claiming 3 for 13.
Spinners Rakep Patel and Rohit Vekaria shared six wickets to help Kenya beat Zamibia by four wickets. Patel took 3 for 16 and Vekaria bagged 3 for 17 as Zambia were spun out for 152. Kenya achieved victory in 34.1 overs for the loss of six wickets.
The winner of the Africa Under-19 Qualifiers join Papua New Guinea (from the East Asia-Pacific Region), Ireland (from the Europe Region) and Bermuda (from the Americas Region), the ICC's 10 Full Members and hosts Malaysia at the 16-team U-19 World Cup from February 17 to March 2 2008 in Malaysia.
I am very happy with the progress of Kenya under 19 that could not qualify in the last two encounters. It is crucial that they qualify this time, get the big time experience in the World Cup proper in Malaysia and hope the bulk of these youngeters will make entry into the Kenya National team that now has many ageing and injury prone players. Three fine long serving players - Hitesh Modi, Martin Suji and Ravindu Shah - seems to have retired though they have not offically announced. Modi was, i understand, keen to play but sidelined without any valid reasons. Veteran Steve Tikolo will shortly depart and future of all-rounder Thomas Odoyo hangs in balance due to injury.
The replacement system is lacking mainly due to very poor standards of the domestic competitions and lack of development agenda in the last 10 years or so. The Cricket acadamy at the Simba Union Club has been shut down for some reasons. Kenya's last hope is to look for replacements from the under 19 team. I hope they do well to get the nod for the World Cup.
Zoeb Tayebjee
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