Pre-tournament favourites Zimbabwe and Tanzania put the writing clear on the wall with dominant displays enroute to wins on Matchday One of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Uganda.
Zimbabwe made Kenya pay heavily for any lapse with a commanding 62-run victory in the event’s opening fixture at the lakeside Entebbe Cricket Oval whereas Tanzania proved too much for Botswana as they cruised to a huge 10-wicket win under perfect weather conditions.
*Zimbabwe start strong
The Lady Chevrons, having been asked to bat first, lost their captain Mary-Ann Musonda (4) in the first over and could have been in more trouble only to be let off by Kenya’s feeble fielding.
From a point when they could have been four down inside the early overs, Chipo Tiripano Mugeri rode her luck as she smacked three boundaries and one six down the ground in her power-packed innings of 31 runs off 17 balls.
When she fell at 51 for 3 in 7 overs, Zimbabwe suffered a setback when teenage sensation Kelis Ndhlovu (1) retired hurt after running into Kenyan bowler Queentor Abel and falling awkwardly.
Player of the Match Josephine Nkomo stayed resolute with 26 runs off 28 balls – surviving close calls and tricky situations as the Southern Africans sought to set a meaningful total.
However, it was Zimbabwe’s fortuitous escape and Kenya’s butter fingers that defined the first innings. Missed catches and fumbles in the field allowed Zimbabwe to capitalize on opportunities, ultimately setting a challenging total of 111 for 7 in 20 overs.
Kenya, in their pursuit of the target, faced early setbacks as they collapsed to a dismal 23 runs for the loss of 8 wickets inside nine overs. The Kenyan team struggled to form any meaningful partnerships, and Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Loreen Tshuma’s impressive 3 for 14, took full advantage of the situation.
Despite Kenya’s late resistance, a ninth-wicket partnership of 24 runs between Mercy Sifuna (9) and Charity Muthoni (10), they were outclassed in all departments and succumbed to a 62 run defeat. Extras emerged as the top scorer for Kenya with 11 runs, as they ultimately crawled to 49 all out in 15.4 overs.
Zimbabwe will be happy that they got their campaign underway with victory and thus two points in the bag but coach Gary Brent knows the machine didn’t look well-oiled and will demand more when they return on Matchday Three for a date against Botswana.
*Tanzania show true potential
In the other Group A match, Tanzania showed a glimpse of what they’re made of and their ambitions at this event that has two tickets at stake to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Dubai next year.
There was no luck at the toss for new Tanzania captain Pius Justine Neema but there were no problems with how things panned out after Botswana skipper Laura Mophakedi asked them to bowl first.
Despite giving away a marginal 20 runs in extras, Tanzania’s bowlers were still too much for the Southern Africans restricting them to 75 runs all out in 19.2 overs.
New vice-captain Perice Zakayo Kamunya, Agnes Qwele, Mwanamvua Hamisi Ushanga, and Aisha Mohammed claimed two scalps apiece in their parsimonious spells.
Then their opening batters Saum Godfrey Mtae (38) and former captain Fatuma Omary Kibasu (25) made a mockery of the chase, sealing the emphatic victory with 58 balls remaining.
Tanzania will look to build on that victory when they return on Monday 11th December for their clash against neighbouring foes Kenya.
*Super Sunday looms
As the sun set on a thrilling opening day, attention now turns to Matchday Two fixtures, with the Capricorn Eagles of Namibia eager to get the better of the Female Yellow Greens of Nigeria in the morning duel.
The highlight of the day will be an East African derby between Rwanda and host nation Uganda. This clash holds additional significance as the Victoria Pearls seek redemption for the loss inflicted by Rwanda during the final of the Kwibuka Women’s T20 International Tournament in Kigali last June.
The lawns of the lakeside Entebbe Cricket Oval will have a good crowd cheering on both teams with several passionate Rwandans having arrived in Uganda from the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ to support their fast-rising team that has several players from the historic squad that played at the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa and stunned the world with two memorable triumphs over Test-playing nations, Zimbabwe and West Indies, earlier this year.
With thrilling encounters and high stakes, cricket enthusiasts can expect more excitement and drama in the days to come.
