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Match Summaries:
Malawi vs Eswatini:
Eswatini U19: 26/10 (10.5 overs)
Malawi U19: 27/1 (3.1 overs)
Malawi won by 9 wickets
Mozambique vs Botswana:
Mozambique U19: 106/8 (20 overs)
Botswana U19: 107/5 (18.3 overs)
Botswana won by 5 wickets
Lesotho vs Kenya:
Kenya U19: 247/2 (20 overs)
Lesotho U19: 33/10 (18.1 overs)
Kenya won by 214 runs
Malawi vs Sierra Leone:
Sierra Leone U19: 76/8 (20 overs)
Malawi U19: 80/2 (10 overs)
Malawi won by 8 wickets
Malawi made a strong statement on Matchday One of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, crushing Eswatini by 9 wickets.
After winning the toss, Malawi’s bowlers, led by the exceptional Evah Kabwere, dismantled Eswatini’s batting lineup, restricting them to a meager 26 runs within 11 overs.
Kabwere was unplayable, recording astonishing figures of 6 for 5, a performance that completely stifled Eswatini, whose batters failed to reach double digits.
Eswatini’s struggle continued into the second innings, conceding 11 extras, which hastened Malawi’s chase.
The Malawian batters, hardly troubled, chased down the target in just four overs, losing only one wicket.
Kabwere, awarded Player of the Match, credited her teammates for their collective effort.
“This award goes to all my teammates who were excellent in the field.
Everyone looked sharp today, and I hope we can carry on like this throughout the tournament,”
she remarked, reflecting the team’s unity and focus.
Botswana began their campaign with a hard-fought 5-wicket win over Mozambique, chasing down a target of 106 with nine balls to spare.
Mozambique’s captain, Amelia Lucas Mundodo, played a valiant innings, scoring a maiden half-century (51 off 46 balls) and showcasing her all-round skills with a stunning catch in the covers.
However, her efforts fell short as Botswana’s disciplined bowling and strategic batting turned the tide.
Lesego Koogile spearheaded Botswana’s bowling attack, taking 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Oratile Tsimako’s crucial cameo of 25 off 20 balls anchored their chase.
Tsimako, coming to the crease at a precarious 64 for 4, showed remarkable composure, hitting back-to-back boundaries in the 18th and 19th overs to seal the victory.
Botswana will look to build on this win as they face Lesotho next, while Mozambique faces back-to-back challenges against Eswatini and Malawi.
Kenya lived up to their billing as tournament favorites with an emphatic 214-run victory over Lesotho.
Captain Melvin Khagoitsa led from the front, smashing an unbeaten 96 off 51 balls, driving Kenya to a formidable 247, the highest total of the tournament so far.
Khagoitsa’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring 16 boundaries and 2 sixes.
She was ably supported by Kreeshna Mehta (63 off 46), Zainabu Hamisi (20 off 22), and Janet Makau (20 off 12), who all contributed valuable runs.
In response, Lesotho struggled to gain any momentum against Kenya’s relentless bowling attack.
Stella Idagiza and Janet Makau wreaked havoc, taking 3 wickets each for 3 and 6 runs, respectively, as Lesotho crumbled to 33 all out in 18.1 overs.
Khagoitsa, deservingly named Player of the Match, will aim to maintain Kenya’s momentum when they face Sierra Leone on Thursday.
In the afternoon showdown Malawi secured back-to-back victories on Matchday One, defeating Sierra Leone by 8 wickets.
Opting to field first, Malawi’s bowlers were again on top form, systematically dismantling Sierra Leone’s batting lineup.
Fatu Conteh stood as the lone warrior for Sierra Leone, scoring 30 runs in a gritty knock that saw her as the only batter to reach double figures.
However, her efforts were not enough as Sierra Leone posted a modest 76 for 8 in 20 overs.
In reply, Malawi’s top-order batter, Mercy Kudimba, played a composed innings, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 31 balls, including five boundaries.
She, along with Febbe Malefula, who remained not out on 11, guided Malawi to a comfortable 80 for 2 in just 10 overs, ensuring their perfect start to the tournament continues.
Match Day 2 Fixtures: Thursday 22nd August
9.30am – Eswatini Vs Mozambique at Gahanga 1
9.30am – Botswana Vs Lesotho at Gahanga 2
1.50pm – Kenya Vs Sierra Leone at Gahanga 1
1.50pm – Malawi Vs Mozambique at Gahanga 2
