Kenya is set to host the ICC Africa under-19 World Cup Qualifiers, which will bring together eight teams in Nairobi between August 16-24, Cricket Kenya Development Manager, David 'Pamba' Odhiambo, announced .
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He said: "Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and hosts Kenya, will fight it out for the single slot reserved for the continent in the age group's premier event slated for Dubai in February 2014.
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The CK elite coach handling the team, Joseph Angara, said that he has a provisional team of 25 boys from which the selectors shall pick the final squad. Angara also said that the Nairobi based players train at the Ruaraka Sports club in the afternoons.
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He said that Vinit Shikotra and his cousin Vishal Shikotra both from Mombasa and the Nakuru based Peter Koech, James Batitula and Parth Patel are part of the provisional side.
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This is one event that has evaded the under 19 players. Kenya last took part in the age group show in 2002 in New Zealand.
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The forthcoming under-19 qualifiers in Nairobi gives homeboys their best chance of making it to the 2014 World Cup.
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Elsewhere, Pakistan has launched a hunt for fast bowlers to overcome a shortage of quality pacemen in the country once known for its production line of quick bowlers.
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Under the "King of Speed" programme, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will seek out bowlers who can hit 145 kph (90 mph) for a special training camp with legendary left-armer, Wasim Akram.
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Wasim and pace partner, Waqar Younis formed one of the deadliest pairings in international cricket and furthered the art mastered by their illustrious mentor and captain, Imran Khan, in the 1970s and 80s.
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Speed king, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami dominated the scene in 1990s and 2000s and both attained speeds of over 100 mph in international matches.