GABORONE: The second day of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifier in Gaborone brought great news for the hosts – as well as an emphatic victory for the favourites Kenya.
Player of the match Shameelah Mosweu’s brilliant 86 not out, from just 63 balls was the centrepiece of Botswana’s mammoth 204 for four against Lesotho in morning play. Laura Mophakedi added a breezy 38, as Lesotho was put to the sword.
In response, Lesotho were rolled over for just 31, as they experienced another day of learning on the field. Gaobilwe Matome’s sensational six wickets for just 1 run put the icing on a great day for the hosts, as they cruised to a 173-run victory.
Kenya, meanwhile, dispatched Malawi by seven wickets, after tight bowling had kept them to just 62 for eight in their allotted overs. Lavendah Idambo’s three for 9 kept the scoring in check and secured her the player of the match award, while there were also two wickets for the impressive Melvin Idambo.
Queentor Abel (30) continued her fine form with the bat, as Kenya won with 55 balls to spare.
In afternoon action, Jannet Kowa’s three for 7 saw Sierra Leone hurry to a ten-wicket victory over Mozambique. Kowa and the rest of attack bowled Mozambique out in 16.3 overs for just 55, before Emma Kamara’s confident 31 not out saw them home inside ten overs.
Fatu Conteh was on the other end, with a composed 14 not out, as Sierra Leone helped themselves to their second victory of the tournament.
The day’s final match saw Cameroon register a confidence-boosting triumph over Eswatini. Cameroon batted first, and notched 125 for four, with Madaleine Sissako’s 58 the cornerstone of the innings.
Winile Ginindza took two for 27, but the total always seemed like it would be a massive ask for the developing Eswatini batting line-up. Mbali Dlamini’s 17 was the highlight with the bat, but wickets for Clemence Manidom (three for 10) and Leslie Mbieleu (two for 12) saw Eswatini bowled out for 63 in 12.3 overs.
Cameroon take on Mozambique today while Botswana face Malawi in what are virtually knockout games. Kenya have taken control of their destiny, while Sierra Leone are also still unbeaten.
Both teams will have their eye firmly on the main prize of the week, which is two places in Africa’s Division One, as the race to the T20 World Cup continues.
Scores in brief:
Kenya v Malawi:
Malawi 62 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sophina Chinawa 23, Mercy Kudimba 12*; Lavendah Idambo three for 9, Melvin Idambo two for 15)
Malawi 63 for 3 in 10.5 overs
(Queentor Abel 30, Mary Mwangi 14*; Ketrina Chingaipe one for 11, Vanessa Phiri one for 18)
Kenya won by 7 wickets (with 55 balls remaining)
Lesotho v Botswana:
Botswana 204 for 4 in 20 overs
(Shameelah Mosweu 86*, Laura Mophakedi 38; Mary Makopano Mabathoana two for 30)
Lesotho 31 all out in 9 overs
(Julia Mahe 21; Gaobilwe Matome six for 1, Tuelo Shadrack two for 9)
Botswana won by 173 runs
Sierra Leone v Mozambique:
Mozambique 55 all out in 16.3 overs
(Irene Mulhovo 12; Jannet Kowa three for 7, Isha Quee two for 6, Fatu Pessima two for 8, Alice Fillie two for 15) Sierra Leone 56 for no loss in 7.1 overs
(Emma Kamara 31*, Fatu Conteh 14*; Palmira Cuinica zero for 15)
Sierra Leone won by 10 wickets (with 79 balls remaining)
Cameroon v Eswatini:
Cameroon 125 for 4 in 20 overs
(Madaleine Sissako 58; Winile Ginindza two for 27)
Eswatini 63 all out in 12.3 overs
(Mbali Dlamini 17; Clemence Manidom three for 10, Leslie Mbieleu two for 12)
Cameroon won 62 runs.
