Cricket team shines again in India

Dar es Salaam. Kassim Nassoro scored a half century as the national cricket team won their fifth friendly match against SSI in India yesterday.

The team has camped in India ahead of the 2016 World Cricket League Division 5 to be held in Jersey in May.

Nassoro, the right arm off spinner, scored 56 runs as the Tanzanian boys won by 1 run.

The team’s left armed spinner Hamis Abdallah added 33 with three wickets in the thrilling game.

The hosts batted first to score 190 in 40 of 50-alloted overs match before Tanzania made a chase to score the target of scoring 191 in 35.4 overs.

“We are very happy with the way we played today. It was a tough match. We survived a scare before flooring them,” said Abdallah.

The team which has been in India since last month, has played eight trial matches and won five.

According to the Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA), the local boys swing back into action today in what will be their final 50-over match against South Polapur.

TCA believes the India tour will enable the boys to acquire the skills and exposure they need to perform impresively in the Jersey championship.

The Division 5 tournament will serve as a qualifying event for the 2019 World Cup in England.

For years, the national cricket team has been mere participant in the ICC-organised competitions.

Last year, they narrowly avoided relegation to a lower division after a dismal show in the ICC World Cup Division 5.

In 2012, they camped in England but failed to make a mark in the world event.

But Abdallah remains optimistic, saying they will not afford another poor show in the championship this time around.

Tanzania is among six countries expected to compete in the Division 5 tournament.