Thrills and Spills on Day One of ICC Women’s T20 Africa Qualifier

DAY one of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Windhoek was packed with drama, big performances, and thrilling finishes.

Four matches kept fans on the edge of their seats from the morning session to the evening.

At HP Oval, Kenya Women won the toss and decided to bat first against Rwanda Women. Captain Esther Wachira held the innings together with a fighting 53 not out from 58 balls, but with little support from the middle order, Kenya finished on 103 for 6 in their 20 overs. Rwanda’s reply was led by skipper Marie Bimenyimana, who played with patience and control. Along with Clarisse Uwase, she guided her team to 106 for 4 in 19 overs to seal a six-wicket win.

Over at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, Nigeria Women sent out a strong warning to the rest of the competition with a dominant batting display against Sierra Leone. Sent in to bat, they piled up 182 for 3, the highest score of the tournament so far. Star batter Piety Lucky smashed 68 runs from just 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, before also grabbing a wicket with the ball. Despite Linda Bull removing Lucky, Sierra Leone could not cope with the pressure of the chase and managed only 86 for 8. Nigeria claimed victory by 96 runs in a one-sided contest.

The afternoon brought the most dramatic match of the day as Tanzania Women edged Uganda Women by just one run at HP Oval. Tanzania set a target of 122 after scoring 121 for 7 in their 20 overs with contributions from across the order. Uganda’s chase was driven by youngster Ester Iloku, who got good support from Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Rita Musamali. The game went right to the wire, with Uganda needing two runs from the last ball. In a tense finish, Musamali was run out by Agnes Qwele, handing Tanzania a thrilling one-run victory.

Hosts Namibia then took on Zimbabwe in the final match of the day at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground. Namibia won the toss and chose to field, but Zimbabwe built steady partnerships to post 133 for 5 in their 20 overs. Chasing 134, Namibia’s batters were undone by Zimbabwe’s experienced attack. Loreen Tshuma and Nyasha Gwanzura picked up three wickets each as Namibia were restricted to 101 for 8. Zimbabwe won comfortably by 32 runs, showing their strength early in the tournament.