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Kenya U-19 confident ahead of Cricket World Cup qualifiers

Kenya Under-19 captain Yash Gohil bats during a training session at Nairobi Gymkhana pm January 21, 2025. 



Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

By  Victor Otieno

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Alongside Gohil, three other players—Yuvraj Bhatyani (batsman), Neel Doshi (medium pace all-rounder), and Stian Smith (batsman and leg-spinner)—were part of the squad that competed in the 2024 ICC U-19 Africa Division One Qualifier in Lagos.

Kenya’s Under-19 men’s cricket team have intensified preparations for the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) 50-Overs Under-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier, set for in Lagos, Nigeria, from March 28 to April 6.

The six-team tournament will feature Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and the hosts, competing for the sole qualification spot at the global event, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.

A 14-man Kenyan squad, under the guidance of head coach Josphat Irungu, entered residential training on Tuesday.

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As part of their preparations, they are scheduled to play three warm-up matches against a selected side from Kenya’s senior men’s cricket team before departing for Nigeria next week.

“We will approach the matches as if we are playing the tournament (World Cup qualifiers) and see how to gauge ourselves,” said Irungu after leading a training session at Nairobi Gymkhana on Tuesday afternoon.

The team has been undergoing non-residential training since mid-January, with many players also competing in the recently concluded National Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) T20 League. Irungu expressed confidence that the squad is well-prepared for the challenge ahead.

While acknowledging the strength of their opponents, the former Kenya international remains optimistic that his team will secure a return to the World Cup. Kenya last featured at the global event in 2018 in New Zealand, where they failed to progress past the group stage.

Kenya narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2024 ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa after finishing second in the Africa Division One Qualifier in Lagos. Namibia secured the ticket after topping the standings with nine points, two ahead of Kenya.

“Every team is going there to qualify (for the World Cup), but whoever wants it more will get it. Our team has decided they are going to take it,” said Irungu.

“The last time the pitches (in Lagos) were not good, and the rains affected us. Hopefully, the grounds are better this time around.”

Captain Yash Gohil identified Namibia and Uganda as Kenya’s biggest threats but remains confident in their ability to overcome them.

“As a team, we are all looking to win it. We feel that the toughest challenge will be Uganda and Namibia, but we have played them in the past and know what their strengths are. We know what is expected from us, and we are ready to take on the challenge,” said the 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman.

Alongside Gohil, three other players—Yuvraj Bhatyani (batsman), Neel Doshi (medium pace all-rounder), and Stian Smith (batsman and leg-spinner)—were part of the squad that competed in the 2024 ICC U-19 Africa Division One Qualifier in Lagos.