Tanzania outclass Malawi in T20 Cup
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania men’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance at the opening game of the ongoing Quad Nations T20 Cup – Arjun Menon Memorial, defeating hosts Malawi by 72 runs over the weekend at the TCA Oval in Blantyre.
Malawi won the toss and opted to bowl first in the opening fixture, but Tanzania responded with a batting masterclass, amassing an imposing 192/4.
The total proved too steep for the hosts, who managed 120/7 in reply, falling short despite a determined effort with the bat.
This match was part of a highly competitive long-week tournament featuring national teams from three different ICC (International Cricket Council) regions—Bahrain (Asia), Germany (Europe) and Tanzania and Malawi (Africa).
In another opening weekend fixture, Bahrain asserted dominance over Germany after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
Bahrain set a formidable 207/2. Germany fought back but ultimately reached 161/8, handing Bahrain a 46-run win.
The Tanzanian side is being led by skipper Kassim Chete, with key contributions from seasoned players such as Ajith Augustin, Arun Yadav, Mukesh Maker, Khalidy Juma and Ally Hafidhi.
The squad also features rising stars like Laksh Bakrania—who also captains the national U-19 team—alongside Ally Kimote, Dhrumit Mehta, Salum Ally, Mohamedi Mbaki, Umar Shaik, Raymond Emmanuel and Acrey Hugo.
This tournament marks the first major assignment for newly appointed Head Coach Mugammad Nackerdien from South Africa, who took charge two months ago.
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According to Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Chairman Balakrishnan Sreekumar, Nackerdien’s appointment is part of a long-term plan to restructure and elevate the senior team after a recent dismal performance.
In a unique family pairing, Nackerdien joins his son, Imran Nackerdien, who has already etched his name in Tanzanian cricket history by coaching the national U-19 team to qualify for the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup.
The senior side in Malawi is also benefiting from the support of seasoned local coach Riziki Kiseto.
The Quad Nations T20 Cup, running from July 5–13, is hosted by the Malawi Cricket Union (MCU), named in memory of the late Mr Arjun Menon, Malawi’s Cricket Operations Manager, who was tragically murdered at his residence in Blantyre two months ago.
For both Tanzania and Malawi, the tournament serves as vital preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Zimbabwe, scheduled for September 2025.
Tanzania returned to action yesterday for their second match against Bahrain and are set to face hosts Malawi in a rematch on July 9, before concluding their group-stage campaign against Bahrain again on July 11, all building up to the 3rd/4th Play-off and the final scheduled for July 13.
