“This is the first time a team from Fiji cricket has made a World Cup so I am very proud of that achievement and my players”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Fiji have made history by qualifying for their first Under-19 World Cup after finishing unbeaten during the group stages of the East Asia-Pacific Under-19 Trophy in Blenheim, New Zealand.

What makes this even more special is the fact that this is the first time Fiji have qualified for a World Cup at any level.

Fiji qualified for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh after crushing Samoa by nine wickets. Samoa were dismissed for 92 thanks to Sosiceni Weileilakeba, who claimed 4-17 and the Man of the Match award as well.

“This is the first time a team from Fiji cricket has made a World Cup so I am very proud of that achievement and my players,” Fiji captain Saimoni Tuitoga said.

Fiji head coach Shane Jurgensen added: “The way that we won today was exactly the way we wanted to win. I wanted them to prove to the region and to themselves that they deserve to be in the World Cup and I couldn’t be more proud of the way they went about it.”