Gahanga Ground
Uganda maintained their unbeaten run at the ongoing 2023 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament picking up two wins on their double header.
Uganda won the toss in the morning overcast conditions and decided to field against Botswana.
Botswana struggled to get the run scoring going and only Florence Samanyika (31) offered some resistance but the Ugandans were generous to offer them 18 extras as they finished on 81/8 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Uganda were not so assured at the top of the order. Apart from Jimia Mohammad (21), the rest of the top didn’t hold for long enough. The rescue act came from the middle order Rita with Musamali (18) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (18) knocking off the deficit as the Victoria Pearls picked up their fifth consecutive win of the tournament.
Uganda didn’t have to wait for long for their sixth win of the tournament, knocking over their East African neighbors Kenya by 37 runs.
Uganda won the toss again in the afternoon and this time Consy Aweko decided to bat first. Janet Mbabazi (31) held it together at the top before Stephanie Nampiina (35) joined her to increase the rate of scoring. Uganda were 29/2 in 10 overs but they found 87 runs in the last 10 overs to post the highest total of the tournament 116/6 in their 20 overs. The Kenyan response was stopped at the loss of their star player Quentoor Abel in the third over, the chase slowed down from thereon with the Kenyans just seeing through the game to finish on 79/5 in their 20 overs.
Uganda amassed their six wins and that keeps them as the only team yet to taste a defeat so far at the tournament.
At Gahanga Stadium, Nigeria had a mixed day. They beat Kenya in the morning by 22 runs before they fell to a shock defeat to hosts Rwanda by 9 wickets in the afternoon.
Nigeria had a terrible day with the bat, scoring a paltry 74/9 in their 20 overs against the Kenyans. However, their superior bowling was able to give them a great result that earned them their fourth win of the tournament.
In the afternoon, hosts Rwanda knew it was a good occasion to take revenge to make sure they keep their chances of being in the final alive. Leonard Nhamburo’s young women bundled the West Africans out for only 42 runs.
Alice Ikuzwe (3/3) and Henriette Ishimwe (4/10) were the architects as the hosts set up the win. Only Sara Uwera (13) was out in the chase with Gisele Ishimwe (24) holding steady to ensure a 9 wicket win for Rwanda. The win was the third for Rwanda and it keeps them in the hunt for a place in the final.
Uganda remains firmly on top of the table with Nigeria and Rwanda fighting for second place.
Thursday Fixtures
IPRC-Kigali Cricket ground
Rwanda v Uganda – Morning
Rwanda v Kenya – Afternoon
Gahanga Cricket Stadium
Kenya v Botswana – Morning
Botswana v Nigeria – Afternoon