Tanzanian all-rounder Aahil Jasani picks up Player of the Tournament honour.

Tanzanian all-rounder Aahil Jasani has been named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under 19 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifiers. Jasani was a regular contributor with bat and ball as his country eventually finished the tournament in third place.

There were some vital contributions along the way, including 43 not out against Rwanda, to confirm qualification for the semi-finals. But Jasani’s day to remember came against Mozambique, when he notched a memorable 100 not out, and then added three for 18 with the ball.

In all, he finished the tournament with 184 vital runs, and eight wickets at an economy rate of 2.52.

The tournament itself saw the West African region come to the fore, with strong performances from young individuals with big futures in African cricket.

Young Peter Aho of Nigeria announced himself as one to watch, as did 13-year-old Haroun Kamara of Sierra Leone.

They will surely be seen again at this tournament, and they both also have the Division One qualifier tournament to look forward to.

Nigeria won the overall tournament thanks to a varied attack and some very aggressive batting from a strong lineup. They were the standout side and were the only team to go through the tournament unbeaten.

At the end of a terrific 12 days of cricket in Potchefstroom, the overwhelming consensus was that of an excellent tournament all round.

‘The quality of this tournament also bodes well for the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa,’ said Patricia C. Kambarami, the ICC development manager for Africa.

Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Tanzania join Kenya, Namibia and Uganda in Division One. They will compete in 2019 for one spot at the 2020 U19 Cricket World Cup.

Photo: Cricket South Africa