West Indies U-19 Dominate Tanzania As Zimbabwe And Scotland Share Points

West Indies started their U-19 World Cup 2026 on a positive note, defeating Tanzania in their first match. Rain washed out the Group C encounter between Zimbabwe and Scotland, resulting in no play.

Tanzania Started Well Before Collapse

After winning the toss, West Indies U-19 decided to bowl. The initial stages were slow, but the openers of Tanzania, Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra, established a stable 53-partnership. This stand challenged the Caribbean bowlers, and the first wicket did not fall until the 14th over.

Medium pacer Jonathan Van Lange finally broke the stand that had stood for the opening stand. Shaquan Belle became the key figure as Tanzania’s innings unraveled. He dismissed Thakrar, ran out Ayaan Shariff, and removed Augustino Mwamele in quick succession. Those strikes exposed Tanzania’s middle order and triggered a steady fall of wickets.

Left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes then tightened the screws further, picking up three wickets as Tanzania lost momentum. The innings ended at 122 in the 34th over, a total that looked below par given the early platform they had built.

Francis And Andrew Steady The Chase

Tanzania struck early in the second innings when Mwamele removed West Indies opener Zachary Carter in the fourth over, briefly raising hopes of a fightback. However, those hopes faded as Tanez Francis and Jewel Andrew took control.

The two then contributed an 80-run partnership for the second wicket with calm and measured aggression that firmly placed West Indies on their path. Francis scored 52 and Andrew a level-headed 44 to the top. West Indies lost four wickets between the 17th and 20th over, but the low target ensured that there was no serious threat. They had 29 overs to spare, and they completed 124 for 5 and their first win in Group D.

Rain Washes Out Harare Contest

The match between Zimbabwe U-19 and Scotland U-19 at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare was called off due to rain, and both teams sharing a point each were awarded a draw. Zimbabwe now faces England on January 18, while Scotland meets Pakistan on January 19.