Faf du Plessis has been named captain of Namibia’s U-19 cricket team for the World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to begin on 28 March in Nigeria. This young talent aims to lead his team through tough competition for a chance to represent Africa in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, alongside Zimbabwe as co-hosts. Australia, the defending champions, will also participate in this 16th edition of the tournament.
Faf du Plessis, a promising cricketer from Namibia, has been appointed as the captain of the national under-19 cricket team in preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers. Notably, he shares his name with the famous South African player from the Delhi Capitals, yet this 17-year-old has distinguished himself with impressive right-handed batting and leg-spin bowling abilities.
Having earned three caps for Namibia’s U-19 squad, Faf du Plessis will lead his team against formidable opponents, including Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Qualifiers will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, with Namibia’s first match set for 28 March against Nigeria.
Namibia will play its matches at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval, starting with Nigeria and followed by a fixture against Sierra Leone. This tournament is critical, as the winning team will earn the chance to represent Africa in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, of which Namibia is a co-host alongside Zimbabwe.
While Namibia aims to qualify, Zimbabwe has already secured their berth in the 2026 U-19 World Cup due to its status as a host nation. This upcoming tournament will be the 16th edition, continuing a significant tradition in youth cricket.
Australia, the defending champions, will return to the 2026 tournament after winning the 2024 final against India in South Africa. Their victory came following a narrow win over Pakistan in the semi-finals, securing a one-wicket triumph. India, who reached the final by narrowly defeating South Africa, fell to Australia with a total of 174 runs in response to Australia’s 253-7. Harjas Singh significantly contributed with a 55-run performance, while India’s top scorer was Adarsh Singh with 47 runs.
Faf du Plessis’s appointment as captain showcases Namibia’s commitment to nurturing young talent in cricket. As they strive to qualify for the U-19 World Cup, the stakes are high for the team competing against various nations. Given that the tournament is pivotal for Namibia’s cricketing future and as co-hosts of the upcoming World Cup, their performance will be closely watched.
Original Source: odishatv.in
