Cricket league: Manishimwe leads IPRC-Kigali to victory over Indorwa
Monday, March 25, 2024
Oscar Manishimwe, right, and Daneil Gumyusenge, left, scored half centuries to lead IPRC-Kigali to victory over Indorwa CC in the RCA T20 League on Sunday at Gahanga cricket stadium. Photo by Abdulkahal Ishimwe

Sunday:

IPRC-Kigali 174/4 (20 Overs) vs Indorwa CC 139/7 (20 Overs)

IPRC-Kigali won by 34 runs

Right Guards 129/10 (19.2 Overs) vs Zonic Tigers 77/10 (17 Overs)

Right Guards won by 53 runs

Oscar Manishimwe notched a fine 79 runs off 54 balls while Daniel Gumyusenge scored 60 off 53 to lead IPRC-Kigali to victory over Indorwa Cricket Club in the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) T20 League on Sunday, March 24 at Gahanga Cricket Stadium.

Indorwa won the toss and opted to field, and in the first innings, IPRC-Kigali scored 173 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

Manishimwe, batting at number two, led the league leaders with a cool 79 from 54 balls, including 5 sixes and 3 fours, while Gumyusenge, who came to the crease at number four, got his own half century (60 off 53 balls) not out, which consisted 2 six and 2 fours.

Indorwa’s Chancelier Nzabarinda did shine with the ball, picking the key wickets of the three top-order batters including Isaa Niyomugabo, Aime Mucyodusenga and Manishimwe.

Niyomugabo and Manishimwe were both caught by Riteek Parmar, while Mucyodusenga was caught by Protegene Irafasha.

In the second innings, former league champions Indorwa managed 139 for seven wickets in 20 overs. Despite half a century by Irafasha, who scored 51 runs off 35 balls, including 1 six and 5 fours, Indorwa fell short by 34 runs.

Former Rwandan international fast-bowler Eric Hirwa Dusabemungu contributed 32 runs off 24 balls, including 5 fours. Yves Cyusa had 21 runs off 24 balls.

Emile Rukiriza and Francois Zirahamaje both took two wickets apiece, while Eric Kubwimana, Jean Iradukunda and Blaise Rindiro picked one wicket each.

The win maintained a perfect start for IPRC-Kigali, which kicked off their campaign with a victory over Kutchi Sports last weekend. Only IPRC and Indorwa have played two games. The other contenders, Right Guards got their campaign off with win against youthful Zonic Tigers in Sunday's other game.

Right Guards batted first and put on 129 all out in 19.2 overs and in reply, Zonic were bowled out for 77 runs in 17 overs, falling short by 53 runs.

IPRC-Kigali lead the league table with a maximum four points, followed by Challengers and Right Guards, both on two points, while Zonic Tigers, Kutchi Sports and Indorwa are pointless.

Meanwhile, in the women's league, there were opening day wins for Charity Cricket Club and Gahanga Queens on Saturday, March 23.