Tanzania’s Under-19 women’s cricket team will launch their bid for a place at the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when they face Malawi on August 30 in the African qualifiers at the University of Dar es Salaam grounds.
The seven-day tournament, which began yesterday, August 28, will run until September 5 and features eight teams competing for the continent’s qualification spot at the global tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal in 2027.
Besides hosts Tanzania and Malawi, the competition has attracted Rwanda, Namibia, Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya, setting the stage for a highly competitive battle among some of Africa’s emerging women’s cricket sides.
Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Chief Executive Officer Abdallah Hamis said the tournament offers a valuable platform for the country’s young cricketers to test themselves against international opposition while showcasing their talent.
He said the competition was important not only because of the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup, but also because it could open doors for young players to gain wider recognition and further their careers.
“Our participation and hosting of international competitions such as this provide an opportunity to promote ourselves, the sport and Tanzania as a whole across Africa and the world,” Mr Hamis said.
He urged Tanzanians to come out in large numbers to support the team, saying local fans have an important role to play in motivating the players throughout the tournament.
The qualifiers are expected to provide a stern test for Tanzania’s young players as they seek to make the most of home advantage and challenge for a place at the 2027 global finals.
For the hosts, the tournament also represents an opportunity to strengthen the development of women’s cricket and give the next generation of players valuable exposure to high-level international competition.