By 
Result
Tanzania Vs Rwanda
Rwanda 119/4 in 20 overs
Tanzania 86 all out in 16.2 overs
Rwanda won by 33 runs
Nigeria Vs Sierra Leone
Nigeria 137/2 in 20 overs
Sierra Leone 83/8 in 20 overs
Nigeria won by 54 runs
In a captivating showdown dubbed the East African derby at the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20i Tournament, Rwanda emerged victorious over tournament debutants Tanzania, clinching a commanding 33-run win in the opening match.
The triumph marked a promising start for Rwanda in the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting campaign ahead.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Rwanda’s opening duo of Merveille Uwase and Gisele Ishimwe took to the crease.
Initially, Rwanda showcased a strong start, reaching 21/0 after four overs. However, the partnership was soon disrupted when Gisele departed after contributing 16 runs off 21 balls. Merveille Uwase led the charge for Rwanda, notching the highest score of 36 runs off 38 deliveries, closely followed by Umutoniwase Clarissa with 25 runs off 17 balls. Henriette Therese Ishimwe also made a notable contribution with an unbeaten 17 off 13 balls, guiding Rwanda to a total of 119/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, Tanzania faced a formidable challenge in chasing down the target. Despite efforts from Saum Godfrey Mtae and Perice Zakayo Kamunya, who scored 25 and 10 runs respectively, Tanzania fell short as they were bundled out for 84 runs in 16.4 overs.
Henriette Therese Ishimwe emerged as Rwanda’s standout bowler, claiming three crucial wickets while conceding just 14 runs in three overs, earning her the well-deserved player of the match title.
Ishimwe Henriette while receiving her player of match award
Additionally, Rosine Irera, Ikuzwe Alice, and Rwanda captain Diane Mary Bimenyimana each contributed with two wickets, with Muhawenimana Immaculate adding one more, collectively securing Rwanda’s victory.
The result marks a historic achievement for Rwanda, defeating the favored Tanzanian side, currently ranked 19th in the Women’s T20I Team Rankings, whereas Rwanda holds the 26th position as of the latest update on February 11, 2024.
With this momentum, Rwanda looks forward to their upcoming clash against Sierra Leone, aiming to maintain their winning streak, while Sierra Leone seeks their first victory in the tournament having lost to Nigeria.
