eBusiness Weekly
Following two Sub-Regional Qualifiers in Rwanda, seven teams remain in the hunt for the two Africa qualifying spots for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Joining Zimbabwe, Namibia and Uganda at the regional final are four teams from across the two Sub-Regional Qualifiers: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Nigeria.
The teams will meet next year in Namibia to decide the pair of sides off to the USA and the West Indies in 2024.
Sub-Regional Qualifier A: Kenya edge the field in spite of rain as hosts hold on to second spot
Upsetting a more-fancied Botswana side to begin the tournament, Rwanda made their Kigali home a fortress, only breached by the team above them on the table.
The momentum from the first result and the wave of local support buoyed the team led by former Kenya fast-bowler Martin Suji as coach, and wins against Saint Helena, Malawi, the Seychelles and Mali ensued.
A nine-wicket defeat to the eventual winners was the only blemish for Clinton Rubagumya’s men.
Starting the competition ranked 71st on the T20I rankings, Rwanda now stand at 65th after their strong campaign.
Kenya’s campaign meanwhile began in frustrating fashion, lamenting inclement weather with two no-results against Saint Helena and Malawi, before eventually storming into their work.
They were 10-wicket winners over Mali thanks to a six-wicket haul from Peter Langat, before accounting for their Rwandan rivals as well as Lesotho, Botswana and Seychelles
At 41-years-old, stalwart Collins Obuya continues to charge for Kenya, only pipped by Malawi’s Sami Sohail, who plays his club cricket in the USA, as Player of the Tournament winner (241 runs and nine wickets).
Sub-Regional Qualifier B: Tanzania and Nigeria stand above the field
Tanzania and Nigeria were a class above in their qualifier, separating from the rest of the field early and finishing comfortable top two finishers.
A washout in the match between Tanzania and Nigeria meant fans missed out on a quasi-final between the two, and only a superior net run rate handed Tanzania the title.
Tanzania hit the ground running with a rain-reduced chase victory over Sierra Leone, also overrunning Ghana by four wickets to keep things ticking along.
Kassim Nassoro’s calm 26* (27) ensured a successful chase against Mozambique in another weather-affected outing, before a pair of wins on the same day against Eswatini and Gambia set them up for a title tilt. Left-arm orthodox spinner Yalinde Nkanya was the tournament’s top-wicket taker with 16, five clear of his chasing rivals.
The washout against Nigeria confirmed their top-two finish, though a 184-run trouncing of Cameroon ensured the first place finish.
Nigeria enjoyed a similar pathway to the top two, also undefeated with six wins, with a strong eight-wicket win against Mozambique an exclamation point in the campaign.
Peter Aho (11 wickets) spearheaded the bowling brigade, while Ashmit Shreshta (186 runs) was a team high with the bat.
Mozambique were somewhat of a surprise packet in the group, finishing third and only falling to the two eventual qualifiers. Francis Damiao Couana was a standout for the side in both disciplines, helping a solid collective bowling attack with five wickets on top of his 217 runs, the second-most at the tournament.
He was edged by teammate Jose Bulele (210 runs) in Player of the Tournament honours however, with Bulele’s nine wickets setting the pair apart.
Africa Qualifier teams (top two qualify for 2024): Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Nigeria.
South Africa have qualified for 2024 by virtue of their finish at the 2022 tournament.
