Namibia claims U-19 title, Uganda 3rd

JJ Smit claimed a match-defining hattrick to dent Kenya’s chances of lifting the Pepsi ICC Africa U-19 title to inspire Namibia to a 52 run win and qualify for next year’s U-19 World Cup due in the United Arab Emirates.

Namibia celebrate winning the match that guarantees them qualification for next years U19 World Cup. Photo by Norman Katende

Namibia also becomes the third African country that will represent the continent. They join Zimbabwe and South Africa, who are permanent members.

Smit claimed the wicket of Gurdeep Singh (01) who was trapped leg before in only the 3rd ball of the innings. Smit was reintroduced in the 35th over and he blew away the Kenyan middle order in a devastating spell.

Just when Kenya’s chase looked to have stabilised with 109/4 at the half way mark following the loss of early wickets, the impressive Smit struck again.

With his first ball, Smit ended Malik’s (47) stay after his loose shot went straight to Wayne Raw who took an excellent catch. Ikreeth Keth and Paramveer Singh were then clean bowled off successive deliveries for a pair of golden ducks to complete Smit’s match wining hattrick.

That triggered Kenya’s collapse as they were all out after 40 overs and 52 runs short of Namibia’s set target.

Namibia’s Xander Pitchers scored 52 runs and JP Kotze chipped in with 43 runs to guide Namibia to a modest total of 173/7.

Singh Paramveer (3/28) was the pick of the bowlers for Kenya with Raj Savala and Kirta Patel chipping in 2 wickets a piece.

Uganda finishes 3rd

Uganda won the battle for third place with Lawrence Ssempijja (79), Faruk Ochimi (52*) and Arnold Otwani (40) helping Uganda set 245 runs for Botswana to chase.


The chase ended didn’t last long thanks to Ssempijja who repeated the trick with the ball as he picked 3 wickets for 11 runs ably assisted by Muhammed Akmal (2/43) and Varinder Singh (2/20) to halt Botswana’s chase at 125 all-out.

Sierra Leone was relegated to Division II after they lost to Tanzania in the day’s other game.

Pepsi ICC Africa U-19 World Cup qualifiers

Final

Namibia 173/7, Kenya 121

(Namibia won by 52 runs)

3rd place playoff

Uganda 245/7, Botswana 125

(Uganda won by 121 runs)

By Norman Katende, The New Vision

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