History Made as Japan Defeat Tanzania for Maiden U19 World Cup Win

The Men’s Japan Under 19 Team made history as they defeated Tanzania by nine wickets to secure a first ever victory at the Under 19 World Cup.

Tanzania won the toss and opted to bat, but would have been questioning that decision when Charlie Hara-Hinze sent Karim Kiseto back to the hutch for a second-ball duck.

Tanzania regrouped however, and benefitted from some good fortune as Acrey Hugo (55) and Ayaan Shariff (40) put on 79 for the second wicket.

That partnership was broken by captain Kazuma Kato-Stafford and Tanzania had to rebuild again, moving steadily to 109 for two at the 30-over mark.

It was the leg-spin of Nihar Parmar that then turned the game decisively in Japan’s favour, his double strike in the 33rd over sparked a surge of wickets for Japan as they completely destroyed the Tanzania middle and lower order, taking eight wickets for 13 runs in 38 balls, with Parmar finishing with Japan’s best World Cup figures of four for 30.