In this file photo West Indies players celebrate the dismissal of South Africa’s Steve Stolk (out of picture) during the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup match at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on January 19, 2024. (Photo: AFP)
January 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The West Indies began their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup on a winning note, beating Tanzania by five wickets in Namibia on Thursday.
The West Indies were led by the Man-of-the-match seamer Shaquan Belle, who took 2-33, took a catch and effected a run out, that broke Tanzania’s batting backbone.
West Indies won the toss and asked Tanzania to bat, and dismissed them for a paltry 122 runs in 34 overs after Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra gave Tanzania a solid start with a 53-run opening stand.
Thakrar topscored with 26, including two fours from 38 balls, with a strike rate of 68.42. Next best was Jobanputra with 19. Vitel Lawes captured 3-23 and Micah McKenzie 2-15.
The West Indies achieved their run chase in 21 overs as opener Tanez Francis stroked 52 with 5×4 and 1×6 from 55 balls at a strike rate of 94.55 per cent. It was the first 50 of the tournament. Jewel Andrew made 44 from 44 balls as the Caribbean side reached 124-5.
In other games, India beat the United States of America by six wickets and the game between Scotland and Zimbabwe was rained out without a ball bowled.
The West Indies will next face Afghanistan on Sunday, starting at 2:20 am Jamaican time.
