Thirteen youngsters have received debut call-ups to represent Kenya Cricket Tri-Series U19 in Jinja, Uganda, next week.
The tournament will feature Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
Among the fresh faces are players who shone during the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Super League including Arshdeep Kundi, Yug Patel (Sikh Union) and Saijeeth Chidambaram (Obuya Academy).
From Peponi School, the Kenya Association of International Schools Sports champions, are Prinay Galaiya and Shlok Saini.
Yusuf Khamala, James Githua and Antony Ndungu from Nakuru’s Pirates Cricket Club have received the nod even as Star Discover Insurance boosted the Kenyan team with a Sh4.2m sponsorship.
Yash Gohil, Stian Smith and Neel Doshi from Nairobi Gymkhana are the survivors from the squad that competed in the 2024 U19 World Cup Qualifiers in Tanzania, where Kenya clinched the runner-up spot behind Namibia.
"We are delighted to sponsor the Kenya U19 men's tour of Uganda. We pray for their triumph, to return with the Kenyan flag held high," said Star Insurance's Jonah Tomno.
The end game is the 2026 U19 World Cup Qualifiers.
Coach Josephat Irungu said: "This team has talent and with consistent play and unity over the next few months, Kenya stands a good chance in the regional qualifiers later this year."
He wants players left out to continue working hard, observing that the door is still open for future engagements.
SQUAD: Yash Gohil (Captain), Stian Smith, Dhir Patel (Nairobi Gymkhana), Saijeeth Chidambaram (Obuya), Neel Doshi, Akshith Sekar (Stray Lions), Aditya Vekariya (Cutchi Leva), Yuvraj Bhatiani, Arshdeep Kundi, Fortune Kyalo (Sikh Union), Yusuf Khamala, James Githua, Anthony Ndungu (Pirates), Shlok Saini, Prinay Galaiya (Peponi School).
