Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA made a strong start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Malawi in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B, 2026 at Achimota Oval A in Accra.
Following the win, Tanzania took an early control of the sixnation standings on two points, ahead of hosts Ghana, Eswatini, Seychelles and Saint Helena, who are yet to play their opening matches. Electing to bat first, Malawi never recovered from a disciplined Tanzanian bowling effort and were dismissed for just 77 in 19.1 overs.
Their innings lacked momentum from the outset, with early wickets reducing them to 2 for 1 and 19 for 2 inside the powerplay. Aaftab Limdawala (10 off 27) and Sami Sohail (10 off 13) briefly offered resistance, while Kazim Somani’s 15 from 22 balls was the top score in a struggling line-up. However, regular breakthroughs prevented any meaningful partnership from developing.
Tanzania’s bowlers shared the spoils in an impressive collective effort. Arun Yadav led the attack with 2 for 9 from his three overs, while Ally Kimote returned 2 for 12 and Khalidy Juma also struck twice, finishing with 2 for 13. Yalinde Nkanya and Laksh Bakrania provided excellent support, maintaining pressure and ensuring Malawi’s innings ended well short of competitiveness.
Extras contributed 15, highlighting Malawi’s lack of control against a disciplined fielding unit. In reply, Tanzania’s chase was steady despite the early loss of Ivan Selemani for 3, bowled by Daniel Jakiel. Dhrumit Mehta anchored the innings with a composed 24 from 29 balls, striking three boundaries and holding the innings together during the initial overs.
Ajith Augastin then took control with an unbeaten 20 from 27 deliveries, while Arun Yadav capped an excellent allround performance with 23 not out from 21 balls, including three boundaries. The pair guided Tanzania home comfortably at 78 for 2 in 13.2 overs, sealing victory with more than six overs to spare.
Malawi’s bowlers struggled to contain the chase despite brief resistance from Jakiel, who took 1 for 20 from his four overs, and Sami Sohail, who claimed 1 for 17.
Tanzania will return to action today when they face Eswatini at Achimota Oval B in Accra, aiming to build on their strong start and strengthen their position in the race for a top-two finish and qualification to the regional final.
The competition forms a crucial step in the qualification pathway, with only the top two teams progressing to the regional final. There, they will be joined by Namibia, who received a bye after they participated in the previous ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and four further sides advancing from Sub-Regional Qualifiers A and C.
