Tanzania clinches historic first-ever spot for ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup

Tanzania has qualified for next year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup with a stunning five-match unbeaten run at the African Qualifiers in Nigeria. The country will make its maiden appearance at the event which will be held in Zimbabwe in 2026.

Laksh Bakrania-led team sealed tournament victory with a win over Sierra Leone, the last of its round robin games to finish with a perfect 10 points to hold off Namibia (eight points) and Kenya (six points) for the World Cup spot.

Tanzania is the first team to qualify via the regional qualification pathways.

“I am lost for words and it’s unbelievable that we have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in our history,” Bakrania said.

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“It is a great moment for the country of Tanzania, and it is down to the hard work of the team and the support and encouragement from the Tanzania Cricket Association.

“At the World Cup in 2026, we shall give our best to compete among other great nations.”

Tanzania is the 12th team to qualify for the event, with 10 teams automatically qualifying for the event as the best-placed Full Member nations from the previous event in 2024 (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies). Australia beat India by 79 runs in last year’s final.

Zimbabwe, host of the 2026 edition, has automatic qualification.

Four places for the tournament are yet to be decided, with one place up for grabs in each of the four remaining regional finals.

Asia and East Asia-Pacific qualification places will be decided in April, with European and Americas qualifiers concluding in August.