Tanzania looses to Namibia

The chance for Tanzania to qualify for the ICC Trophy in Ireland 2005 was today diminished as they lost to Namibia.

Tanzania winning the toss elected to bat on a perfect batting wicket and started brightly with Abhik Patwa and Hamisi Abdallah once again consolidated the Tanzanian innings, with a second wicket partnership of 30 runs. Namibian fast bowlers who are feared in the tournament were handled confidently by the two young Tanzanian batsmen.

Hamisi with 25 runs faced 85 balls and Abhik for his 19 runs faced 55 balls. Other notable resistance came from Benson Mwita for his 16 runs in 34 balls.

Tanzania could score a total of 97 runs all out in 45 overs.

Namibian spin bowlers JB Berger took 2 wickets, D. Kuelder took 2 wickets and S. Berger took 2 wickets, shared the honors of the day.

Namibia in reply to Tanzania’s 97 runs were on 10 runs with 2 wickets down and looked shaky. But man of the match JB. Berger with 39 runs and M. Karg with 40 runs ensured Namibian victory in 13.2 overs. Young spin bowlers Athumani Kakonzi impressed the crowed in his 2 overs spell and had bowled Namibian star batsmen M. Karg. Khalil Rehemtullah took one wicket.

Namibia won by scoring 100 runs with 13.2 overs loosing only 3 wickets.

The coach of the Tanzanian side was very disappointed with the poor batting performances of five key batsmen who have failed to score runs in their last 2 matches.

Tomorrow Tanzania faces Botswana in their 3rd match and is in a must win situation to qualify for the ICC Division 2 league to be held in Malaysia 2005.

The players assured the coach that they will win the next thee matches.