Calamity in Africa as Tanzania topple T20WC 2024 combatants

By Daniel Beswick

Tanzania has kept T20 World Cup 2026 dreams alive, going two wins from two at the Africa Regional Final in Zimbabwe, eliminating 2024 World Cup participants Uganda in the process.

The Tanzanians looked all but certain to lose their encounter with the Cricket Cranes in Group B play, held to just 128/6 in their 20 overs, and with their opponents cruising at 80/1 inside 10 overs in reply.

However, a quicker delivery from spinner Sivaraj Selvaraj, beating the defences of Gaurav Tomar (18), sparked a collapse of 9/39 to leave Uganda nine runs short.

Ajith Augastin (2/15 from four over) picked up from Selvaraj, though it was Khalidy Juma claiming Player of the Match honours, returning from his opening spell to claim the key wickets of Riazat Ali Shah (2), Alpesh Ramjani (2) and Juma Miyagi (0).

The zippy Juma claimed all three players caught behind, with Ramjani’s dismissal leaving the Ugandans needing 17 off the final eight balls.

It was left for Ally Kimote to close out, and the quick held his nerve to ensure victory.

The road remains tricky for Tanzania, who would need to beat a top-two finisher from the other half of the draw in semi-final action to claim T20 World Cup tickets.

They also meet the unbeaten Zimbabwe in their final group game, with a defeat meaning they will likely face Namibia for a global tournament spot.

Having to go through the sub-regional round of Africa action after their disastrous 2024 qualification campaign, Zimbabwe have made a confident start on home soil, accounting for Uganda and Botswana.

The side have been blistering with the bat, with the returning Brendan Taylor (123 from 54 balls) belting Botswana, and Brian Bennett’s 72 (44) ensuring victory over the Ugandans.

Over in the other group, the bats of JJ Smit and Jan Frylinck continue to fire, with the pair making quickfire hundreds against Kenya and Nigeria respectively. Gerhard Erasmus’ side meet Malawi on the final day of group action, with Moazzam Baig enjoying an upset victory of their own over Kenya.

A star of African events, Malawi’s Sami Sohail was the difference, making 46 (42) to get his side to 130/4, before claiming 2/19 (4) in the bowling effort. His wicket of Neil Mugabe (36) at 100/3 in the 16th over sent the Kenyans in a spin, and it was skipper Baig who finished the job, claiming Francis Mutua (1) and Vraj Patel (3) in the final over to hold on for a famous win.