West Indies began the 2026 Men’s Under-19 World Cup with a straightforward five-wicket win over Tanzania in Windhoek, wrapping up the chase with nearly 30 overs unused.
Put in after winning the toss, Tanzania moved smoothly enough to 53 without loss. Dylan Thakrar’s patient 26 and Darpan Jobanputra’s 19 kept the new-ball pair at bay until medium-pacer Jonathan Van Lange finally nipped one through Jobanputra in the 14th over.
That dismissal opened the door. Shaquan Belle – who had held the catch at mid-off – removed Thakrar next over, then ran out Ayaan Shariff in the very next. By the 19th, Belle had Augustino Mwamele as well, three strikes in as many overs and Tanzania in a tangle at 71 for 4.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes finished the job, snaring three for 23 as the lower order folded for 122 in 33.5 overs. “We just tried to keep things simple, hit the top of off and stay patient,” Belle said later, sounding almost surprised at how quickly the innings unravelled.
Tanzania briefly sniffed an upset when Mwamele sent Zachary Carter’s off stump cartwheeling early in the reply. Any nerves, though, were soon calmed by an 80-run stand between Tanez Francis and wicketkeeper-batter Jewel Andrew. Francis’ run-a-ball 52 was full of clipped drives and neat deflections; Andrew’s 44 ticked along scarcely slower.
A mini-slide – four wickets in as many overs – gave coach Rohan Nurse something to jot down, yet the target never really looked big enough to turn awkward. West Indies eased home in the 22nd over to pocket two comfortable Group D points. “Those little wobbles will happen,” Nurse admitted. “Better they come now than later in the tournament.”
Rain ends play in Harare
Further east, the weather claimed the day at Takashinga Sports Club, leaving Zimbabwe and Scotland to split the points in Group C. “Frustrating, but that’s life on tour,” Scotland coach Gordon Drummond sighed as ground staff pulled the covers on yet again.
Zimbabwe next meet England on 18 January, while Scotland face Pakistan a day later – both hoping for firmer ground and clearer skies.
Brief scores
Tanzania U19 122 all out (Thakrar 26; Lawes 3-23, McKenzie 2-15, Belle 2-23) lost to West Indies U19 124-5 (Francis 52, Andrew 44; Mwamele 2-17) by five wickets.
Match abandoned: Zimbabwe U19 v Scotland U19, Harare – no result.
