By Victor Kanayo
Three African nations – Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique are currently leading the way at the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa division two qualifier in Gaborone, Botswana.
Sierra Leone also made promising starts at the opening day of the competition.
As revealed by the organisers, Kenya made an immediate impression, smashing 164 for the loss of just one wicket in their 20 overs against hosts, Botswana.
It was a steep learning curve for the home side, as Queentor Abel (71) and Daisy Njoroge (53 not out) tore into the bowling.
Pako Mapotsana took the solitary wicket, before the Kenyan bowling matched their batters for accuracy. Abel added four for 7 to her 71, while Lavendah Alivitsa’s three for just 4 finished off matters, as Botswana were bowled out for 53.
Lucia Dimba (74) was the star as Malawi notched 189 for five in their allotted overs, which was the highest score of the opening day. Triphonia Luka chipped in with a breezy 20, before Vanessa Phiri’s four for 9 broke the back of the Lesotho effort. The principality was rolled out for just 53, as Malawi rushed to a 136-run triumph to top the table.
In afternoon action, Mozambique were the third side to reach the 150-mark, thanks to Palmira Cuinica (45) and Irene Mulhova (24), as well as help from extras from the Eswatini attack.
The Mozambicans score of 150 for four was always going to be a tough task and so it proved for a young Swati team. Cuinica, Regina Mazumba and Olga Matsolo all took two wickets, as Eswatini lasted just 7.3 overs, before being bowled out for just 48.
The fourth game of Day One saw Sierra Leone make quick work of Cameroon, as they bowled them out for just 40 inside 14 overs. Alice Fille was the pick of the bowlers, snaring four for 11 in a fine spell. Fatu Pessima and Janet Kowa claimed two scalps apiece, as they throttled the scoring in the middle overs.
Sierra Leone then made quick work of the chase, with Marie Turay’s hasty 20 hurtling them towards the target inside the powerplay.
Second day action will see all the winners from the opening day meeting.
The day will be headlined by the tantalising clash between the impressive Kenyans and the equally talented Malawi, who both scored heavily on day one.
Mozambique and Sierra Leone will also lock horns in action, and those results will go a long way towards determining who finishes top of each group.
