S. GitahiCricket Kenya announce trimmed U-19 squad for World Cup Africa qualifiers
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 31.05.23. | 08:11
Team training will continue at the Sikh Union Sports Club before the final squad of 14 is announced
Cricket Kenya has trimmed down the men’s national team side to the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifier from 32 players in the provisional squad to 18, following an intense opening four weeks of preparation.
Nairobi County drew the bulk of 32 players to move forward to the U-19 training camp earlier this month and after trials conducted by head coach Josephat Irungu with help from his two assistants; Lameck Onyango and Thomas Odongo, embarked on slashing the team to 18 players, and is expected to be whittled down to a final squad of 14.
Mombasa County also had their share of trials ahead of the U-19 Africa Division 1 Qualifier in July and picked three boys to proceed to the next stage of preparations: Hitendra Sanghani, Vatsal Shah and Manav Devani. pic.twitter.com/fCpoJeLAmk
— Cricket Kenya (@CricketKenya) April 24, 2023
The team is preparing for the final round of Africa Division 1 Qualifiers set to be held in Tanzania from 21 -30 July this year.
Among the players set to taste national team action for the first time, and present in the 18-man team are; medium pace bowler and Nairobi Gymkhana’s Yuvraj Bhatyani, Hassan Lijodi of Pirates’ Cricket Club, Allan Kibabi of Kenya Kongonis Club and Neel Doshi also of Nairobi Gymkhana Club.
Kenya will be joined by five other nations, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Uganda and hosts Tanzania.
Uganda and Namibia got their place after topping Africa Division One qualifiers in Rwanda last September, while Kenya got their place following their win in the Africa Division Two qualifiers in Nigeria.
Kenya defeated Nigeria by 11 runs at the MKO Cricket grounds and are one of the main favorites to secure their tickets to Sri Lanka, the host of next year’s global showpiece and who’s date is yet to be announced.
Team training will continue at the Sikh Union Sports Club before the final squad is announced.
FULL SQUAD.
Brian Likavu (WK), Darsh Panchani (Bat), Raj Manji (Bat), Yash Gohil (WK), Vishil Patel (Bat), Vaibhav Naresh (Medium pace), Dean Omondi (Medium pace), Stian Smith (Bat), Yuvraj Bhatyani (Medium pace), Krish Haria (Bat), Ken Mwangi (Medium pace), Allan Kibabi (Bat), Neel Doshi (Medium pace), Saavir Karani (Medium pace), Hitendra Sanghani (Left arm spin), Vatsal Shah (Left arm spin), Hassan Lijodi (Bat).
.jpg)
