Namibia and Kenya, the top two ranked teams at the seventh edition of the Kwibuka women’s Twenty20 International tournament lived up to the billing with routine semifinal wins en-route to tomorrow’s final at Gahanga Stadium.
The business end of the tournament found both teams in good nick and they duly engaged ruthless mode on their way to clinching clinical victories against their semi-final rivals.
Namibia overpowered Nigeria by 91 runs in the first semifinal whereas Kenya defeated Rwanda by 52 runs in the East African derby that attracted a good crowd.
The second semifinal was an entertaining affair with Rwanda, despite losing the toss, showing how far they have come as an Associate cricket nation as they faced record winners Kenya.
The three-time champions of the Kwibuka tourney elected to bat first after winning the toss and proceeded to put on a show of their limitless batting firepower.
Queentor Abel (14 runs off 13 balls), captain Margaret Banja Ngoche (38 runs off 48 balls), Sharon Juma (11 runs off 15 balls), and Player of the Match Sarah Bhakita Wetoto (20 runs off 15 balls) chanced their arms at everything within their zones and never shied away from attacking right from the onset of their innings.
Their resolve laid the foundation of their score of 117 runs and despite losing six wickets with Margueritte Vumiliya (2 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs) starring, they were confident they had set enough for their bowlers to work with.
Rwanda having scored 104 runs in the semifinal dress rehearsal against Kenya on Thursday, were confident of springing a surprise. But they got a taste of their own medicine when Kenya summoned all their experience and exposure garnered over years to stifle their run chase.
Kenya used only one pace bowler Lavendah Alivista Idambo (1 wicket for 14 runs in 2 overs). And with Rwanda’s openers Delphine Mukarurangwa (16 runs off 30 balls) and Gisele Ishimwe (6 runs off 10 balls) using her pace to freely score, Banja turned to the slow bowlers – four in total.
Melvin Khagoiza Idambo (1 wicket for 12 runs), Queentor Abel (1 wicket for 11 runs) and Esther Wangari Wachira (1 wicket for 23 runs) bowled economical four-over spells.
But it was Wetoto, who picked up the Player of the Match Award, with a parsimonious spell of 2 wickets for 5 runs in 2.5 overs. Her three overs also accounted for three run-outs and she also had a fielding dismissal to her credit. Rwanda’s deficiencies with the bat had been exposed.
But there was no shame in the manner in which they lost. Legendary Cathia Uwamahoro tried to save face for the hosts with two firmly struck boundaries in her brief but entertaining knock of 14 runs off 15 balls in what was the last kick of a dying horse.
Like Nigeria, the home team was left stranded on 65 runs all out in 16.5 overs and will need to make amends and give it one final effort in tomorrow’s third-place playoff final that has bronze medals at stake.
