The senior national cricket team is determined to step up its performance in the forthcoming ICC World Cricket League Division 4, to be held in Malaysia in August, so that it can win promotion to the Division 3.

Malaysia will be hosting the event for the first time, with a total of six teams scheduled to battle it out in search of the top two positions, which will guarantee participation in the ICC World Cricket League Division 3. The teams are Hong Kong, Nepal, Tanzania, USA, Singapore and hosts, Malaysia.

Malaysia and Singapore won promotion to the Division 4 after emerging champions and runners-up respectively in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 played in Singapore in February, this year. Senior national team’s left handed opening batsman, Seif Khalifa, told ‘Sunday News’ that the team has been training hard with a view to excelling in the Malaysia
tournament and win either of the now elusive top two positions and ultimately return to the ICC World Cricket League Division 3.

“We are no longer ready to remain in the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 this time. We must fight for promotion to Division 3…our team is really good,” said Khalifa. “When you want to achieve something in your life, you must work hard to realize your dreams and that is what our team is doing presently,” he added.

The team is now training at the Muhimbili Cricket Academy on weekly basis with almost all dependable members of the squad taking part in the sessions. “I’m praying to God that we will not have any case of injury in our team in the remaining three weeks so that we can be in great shape ready to fulfill our mission. We must win the trophy this time…every one of us wants to see the team win promotion (to Division),” added Khalifa.

By JAPHETH KAZENGA, Tanzania Daily News