The first group stage of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup came to a close on Friday with England’s commanding win over Rwanda by 138 runs but Zimbabwe's defeat to Pakistan by 10 wickets sealed a qualification for Leonard Nhamburo’s young guns to the Super Six stage after finishing third in Group B. England’s mammoth win over Rwanda saw the team take complete control, with several of their players showing good form before the Super Six. England put the inexperienced Rwanda side under pressure early on with some attacking stroke play after winning the toss to choose to bat first. Skipper Grace Scrivens (52 from 43) and Liberty Heap (64 from 35) added 124 runs in merely 12.3 overs, with no Rwanda bowler escaping punishment as the duo hit 17 fours and two sixes in their stand. Sylvia Usabyimana (3/39) broke the stand by getting rid of Liberty, and accounted for Scrivens as well a couple of deliveries later. Thereafter, the African side were able to stifle England’s scoring rate with regular breakthroughs and held them below 200. Chasing a target of 184 runs, Rwanda lost wickets at regular intervals as England proved to be unrelenting. Henriette Ishimwe (12 from 11) was the only batter to reach double figures as Rwanda were shot out for 45. Alexa Stonehouse (2/9), Ryana Macdonald-Gay (2/1), Davina Parrin (2/5) and Hannah Baker (2/9) found little difficulty in running through the opposition. Skipper Gisele Ishimwe and her teammates now have a homework to do to quickly bounce back when they return to action during the Super Six Stage against New Zealand on Saturday, January, 21 at Senwes Park and West Indies the following day at Absa Puk Oval.
