Tanzania: Local Cricketers Win Honours in Div 2 Event

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Suleiman Jongo

21 May 2011

Benoni — Despite failing to make it into the ICC Division 1, Tanzania’s national cricket team proved that they can hold against the best teams in Africa by winning eight individual awards here yesterday.

The team’s exciting adventure at the just concluded ICC-Africa World League Division 2 T20 tournament finally came to an end on Thursday evening after tumbling to Nigeria in their last match.

Given the stature of their opponents, Nigeria, it is fair to say that cricket logic was respected. The Tanzania cricketers can still walk with their heads high having defied predictions and statistics since the beginning of the tournament.

The week-long event saw Nigeria and Ghana qualify for the Division 1 championship set for July in Nairobi, Kenya.And the Tanzania cricket team had something to smile about yesterday when their inspirational bowler Khalil Rehemtullah was awarded two special trophies during a prize-giving ceremony here.

Africa Cricket Association (ACA), the event’s organisers, awarded the Tanzanian player the trophies in appreciation of his scintillating displays during the tournament.Rehemtullah, who won the hearts of many for his extra-ordinary bowling skills, took the highest number of wickets against Malawi.

Nigerian bowler Walau Ukakana is another cricketer who excelled at the event. Tanzania’s batsman Benson Mwita, who scored a half century during their first match against Rwanda, is expected to leave for England for trials with Watford Town Club.

He will jet off alongside compatriots Rehemtullah and skipper Hamis Abdallah, who also ply their trade with the London team. The other players who won awards during the tournament include: Abhik Patwa, who scored 37 runs for his team against Mozambique.

The England-based player was also named the most promising player during the event. He took home two trophies.Also in the list are: Tanzanians Kassim Nassoro (two trophies) and Riziki Kiseto and Nigerian batsman Sean Philips (five trophies). The Nigerian was also named the best player of the tournament.

Team skipper Abdallah said: “We’re heading home without the trophy, but we’re so proud of what we’ve managed to do here.”

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