Tanzania Under-19 registered a convincing 29-run victory over Kenya Under-19 in the 5th Place Play-off of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2026 at the NTS, TCA Cricket Arena in Dar-es-Salaam.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Tanzania’s innings got off to a rocky start. Kenyan captain Melvin Khagoitsa delivered a dream opening spell, striking on the very first ball of the match by bowling Rahima Yahaya for a golden duck. Despite the early setback, opener Rebeca Martin anchored the innings alongside captain and wicketkeeper Saumu Hussein. The duo forged a steadying partnership to steer the side out of trouble before Janet Nthenya made a breakthrough in the 7th over, having Hussein caught for 9 off 15 balls with the score at 32/2.
Lightness Eladius then joined Martin, constructing the most crucial partnership of the innings. Together, they added 56 runs to push Tanzania toward a defendable foundation. Martin hit 4 boundary fours during her resilient 37 off 54 balls before being run out by Khagoitsa in the 18th over with the scorecard at 88/3. The late overs saw a flurry of quick wickets as Kenya’s bowlers fought back. Amina Kheri was run out for 2 by Zainab Hamisi at 98/4 in the 19th over, while Eladius was trapped lbw by Khagoitsa for a vital 32 off 42 balls (including 3 fours) at 106/5 in the final over.
Zakia Ally (2* off 4) and Joan Jackson (0* off 1) remained unbeaten as Tanzania closed their 20 overs on 106/5. Kenya’s bowling attack was disciplined, led by Khagoitsa’s standout figures of 2 for 9 in 4 overs. Janet Nthenya picked up 1 for 19 in her 2 overs, while Stella Rodgers (0/11 off 4), Alice Kariuki (0/24 off 4), Joy Juma (0/12 off 2), Nezarine Oluoch (0/12 off 2), Marion Jacinta (0/6 off 1), and Hamisi (0/10 off 1) all contained the scoring rate.
In response, Kenya Under-19 began their run chase of 107 with a steady 22-run opening partnership between Zainab Hamisi and Nezarine Oluoch. However, Tanzania’s Maria Massawe broke the stand in the 7th over by bowling Hamisi for 11 (24 balls, 2 fours). Dorice Helmet then turned the game completely on its head. She bowled Oluoch for 13 (25 balls, 3 fours) at 29/2 in the 9th over, before removing Kenyan skipper Melvin Khagoitsa, caught by Helmet off Sabrina Jaffu, for 10 (24 balls) at 60/3 in the 15th over.
With the pressure mounting, wicketkeeper-batter Nancy Wafula tried to keep Kenya afloat, scoring a team-high 21 off 26 balls (2 fours). However, Rahima Yahaya rattled the middle order, dismissing Janet Nthenya (1 off 3) caught-and-bowled at 63/4, and having Condolisa Atieno (4 off 3) caught by Massawe at 68/5 in the 17th over. Jaffu then bowled the dangerous Wafula at 72/6 in the 18th over.
The climax of the chase saw an incredible collapse triggered by Helmet. After Marion Jacinta (2 off 1) was run out by Amina Kheri and Rahima Yahaya at 74/7, Helmet cleaned up the tail end. She bowled Roshele Atamba (0 off 2), Joy Juma (0 off 4), and Alice Kariuki (0 off 1), leaving Stella Rodgers stranded on 1* off 1 ball. Kenya were bowled out for 77 in 19 overs, giving Tanzania a comprehensive win. Player of the Match Dorice Helmet finished with spectacular figures of 5 for 8 in 4 overs.
Tanzania’s complete bowling lineup contributed heavily, with Rahima Yahaya taking 2/13, Maria Massawe recording 1/15, Sabrina Jaffu taking 1/9, along with tight overs from Amina Kheri (0/11) and Lightness Eladius (0/19).
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