Hamza Khan produced one of the standout innings of the ILT20 Continent Cup as Rwanda bounced back from consecutive defeats to Kenya and Uganda with a six-run DLS victory over Botswana on Sunday.
Khan smashed an unbeaten 93 off 48 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes, to power the hosts to 183/9 at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B.
Botswana were set a revised target of 153 after rain reduced the match to 16 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. They reached 146/6, falling six runs short.
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The result ended Rwanda’s two-match losing run and kept their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Khan turns frustration into fireworks
Rwanda needed a strong response, and Khan delivered.
The right-hander came to the crease after the early dismissal of captain Didier Ndikubwimana, who made 14 off 23 balls, and quickly shifted the momentum.
He struck seven fours and seven sixes in his unbeaten 93, with a strike rate of 193.75. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
"After the two losses against Kenya and Uganda, we needed to bounce back and we did it well today,” Khan said.
He said the narrow defeat to Kenya had not dented the team’s confidence.
"Against Kenya we lost on the last ball, but overall in the game we performed well. It’s not over yet. We take this competition seriously and make sure to win the remaining games.”
Botswana responded strongly in the shortened chase, led by Monroux Kasselman, who made 57 off 32 balls with four fours and five sixes. Vinoo Balakrishnan added 37 off 25, while Valentine Mbazo scored 18.
Rwanda fought back through their bowlers, with Emile Rukiriza taking two wickets before Martin Akayezu claimed a late breakthrough to end Botswana’s hopes of forcing a Super Over.
Race for the final tightens
Earlier on Sunday, Kenya strengthened their position at the top of the table with a nine-wicket win over Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone posted 112/9 before Kenya raced to 116/1 in just 8.1 overs, with Gurdeep Singh hitting an unbeaten 75 off 32 balls.
Kenya lead the standings with 10 points, while Uganda and Rwanda have six each. Botswana have four points, with Sierra Leone yet to register one.
Rwanda’s victory puts them back in the race for the final, with Khan’s explosive innings providing a timely boost to their campaign.