On the opening day of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier in Namibia, Nigeria were up against Sierra Leone (Group A) in the 1st game of the tournament. Kenya were up against Rwanda (Group B) in the 2nd game, Zimbabwe were up against Namibia (Group A) in the 3rd game, and Tanzania were up against Uganda (Group B) in the 4th game of the opening day of the tournament.
Match 1 [Group A]: Nigeria Women thrash clueless Sierra Leone Women in the tournament opener
The Nigerian batters made Sierra Leone pay heavily after the skipper Aminata Kamara won the toss and inserted them to bat first. The opening batters, Lucky Piety (68 off 36 balls), alongside Muhibat Amusa (31 off 33 balls), set the tone for a humongous total with a massive 103-run opening partnership. An unfortunate run-out of Muhibat Amusa ended the ominous opening stand, providing the first breakthrough for Sierra Leone in the 11th over of the innings. Fireworks from Salome Sunday (47* off 33 balls) and Christabel Chukwuonye (20* off 15 balls) propelled the total to 182/3 in their quota of 20 overs. Celina Bull (4-0-27-1) and Patrica Pratt (3-0-37-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Sierra Leone.
Chasing a mountainous total of 183, a promising opening stand of 36 between Emma Kamara (31 off 25 balls) and skipper Aminata Kamara (11 off 31 balls) gave some hope. However, it was followed by a collapse, where Sierra Leone lost their next 7 wickets for just 50 runs. As a result, they were restricted to 86/8 in their quota of 20 overs, falling 96 runs short of the target. Usen Peace (4-0-19-1), Racheal Samson (3-0-8-1), Adeshola Adekunle (3-0-10-1), and Lucky Piety (2-0-12-1) picked up a wicket each with the ball for Nigeria. Lucky Piety was awarded the Player of the Match.
Match 2 [Group B]: Skipper Marie Bimenyimana leads from the front as Rwanda clinch a comprehensive win
Kenya somehow managed a total past the 100-run mark (103/6), largely on the back of an unbeaten half-century from the skipper, Esther Wachira (54* off 60 balls). Monicah Ndhambi (15 off 26 balls) and Queentor Abel (11 off 11 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for Kenya. Alice Ikuzwe (4-0-19-1), Rosine Irera (3-0-12-1), Henriette Ishimwe (4-0-17-0), and skipper Marie Bimenyimana (4-0-20-0) were impressive with the ball for Rwanda.
Chasing a target of 104, on a tricky surface, the Rwandan batters applied a cautious approach towards eating down the total and eventually got over the line comfortably with 6 wickets in hand and one over to spare. The skipper, Marie Bimenyimana (48* off 63 balls), stayed unbeaten to guide her side over the line. Clarisse Uwase (26 off 22 balls) and Gisele Ishimwe (14 off 18 balls) played their part with the bat for their side.
Ann Wanjira (2-0-10-1), Lavendah Idambo (2-0-16-1), and Queentor Abel (3-0-24-1) picked up a wicket each with the ball for Kenya. Marie Bimenyimana was awarded the Player of the Match.
Match 3 [Group A]: Beloved Biza’s all-round contributions give Zimbabwe a solid start with a comprehensive win
The Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano-led side posted a competitive total of 133/5 in their quota of 20 overs after the home side skipper Jurriene Diergaardt won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Valuable contributions from skipper Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (39* off 31 balls), Kelis Ndhlovu (23 off 22 balls), Beloved Biza (22 off 19 balls), and Chiedza Dhururu (18 off 30 balls) were instrumental in guiding them past the 130-run mark. Sune Wittman (4-1-11-2) and Eveleen Kejarukua (4-0-15-1) were exceptional with the ball for Namibia.
Chasing a target of 134, the Namibian top-order, including the likes of Sune Wittman (23 off 29 balls), Yasmeen Khan (21 off 23 balls), and Kayleen Green (12 off 14 balls), showed a lot of composure. However, a middle-order collapse, losing four wickets for just 11 runs in the middle overs phase, pushed them on the back foot. Even an encouraging and unbeaten cameo from Wilka Mwatile (24* off 14 balls) wasn’t enough for them to get over the line as they were restricted to 101/8 in their quota of overs, falling 32 runs short of the target.
Nyasha Gwanzura (4-2-4-3) and Loreen Tshuma (4-0-24-3) broke the back of the Namibian batting line-up. Beloved Biza was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive all-round performance, scoring 22 (19 balls) with the bat and returning with match figures (1-0-7-1) with the ball for her side.
Match 4 [Group B]: Bowlers hold their nerve as Tanzania clinch an edge-of-the-seat thriller against Uganda
A stand-out 56-run opening stand between Neema Pius (18 off 29 balls) and Saum Mtae (39 off 40 balls) was followed by decent partnerships which took Tanzania to a fighting total of 121/7 in their quota of 20 overs after the skipper Janet Mbabazi won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Nasra Mohamedi (20 off 20 balls), skipper Shufa Muhamedi (10* off 6 balls), and Fatuma Kibasu (12 off 13 balls) played their part with the bat for Tanzania. Concy Aweko (4-0-15-1), Irene Mutoni (3-0-15-1), Stephani Nampiina (4-0-28-1), and skipper Janet Mbabazi (4-0-29-1) were impressive with the ball for Uganda.
Chasing a total of 122, Uganda, with substantial partnerships throughout the innings, looked in control for the major part of the run chase. Despite cameos from Rita Musamali (27* off 15 balls), Prosscovia Alako (5 off 2 balls), and Stephani Nampiina (5 off 3 balls), it eventually wasn’t enough for Uganda (120/5) to seal the win and crucial two points as they fell just one run short of the target. Esther Iloku (49 off 55 balls) top-scored with the bat for her side, while Immaculate Nakisuuyi (22 off 27 balls) played her part with the bat for Uganda.
Sophia Jerome (2-0-8-2), Perice Kamunya (4-0-23-1), Mwanamvua Ushanga (4-0-20-0), and Nasra Saidi (4-0-25-0) were impressive with the ball for Tanzania. Esther Iloku (49 off 55 balls) was awarded the Player of the Match, despite ending on the losing side.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.