Namibia’s Capricorn Eagles qualified for the semifinals of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Africa Qualifier after beating Rwanda by 11 runs in the Ugandan capital Entebbe yesterday.
It was Namibia’s second win out of three matches at the tournament, which put them second in Group B behind Uganda, to book a semifinal spot against Group A winners Zimbabwe tomorrow. The other semifinal will be contested between Uganda and Group A runners-up Tanzania.
Yesterday’s encounter was a close affair, with Namibia posting an unconvincing 102 for seven wickets, but it proved to be enough as Rwanda could only reach 91/8.
After being sent in to bat, Namibia got off to a steady start with Sune Wittmann and Yasmeen Khan putting on 37 runs for the first wicket before Khan was dismissed for 15.
Wittmann followed soon after for 17, but Merczerly Gorases with 21 from 24 balls, including four fours; and Arrasta Diergaardt with 22 not out off 22 balls (2×4) took them past the 100-run mark.
In reply, Rwanda made a steady but slow start and at the halfway mark of their innings the game was still wide open with Rwanda at 50 for two wickets.
Namibia, however, turned up the pressure when captain Irene van Zyl dismissed Gisele Ishimwe for 36, and when Merczerly Gorases bowled Clarisse Uwase for 7 and Naomi Benjamin dismissed Marie Tumukunde for a golden duck, Rwanda were in trouble at 75 for five wickets down.
They could not recover as Namibia turned the screws tighter with some more wickets to restrict Rwanda to 91/8 and complete a comfortable 11-run victory.
That was Namibia’s second victory at the tournament after they had earlier beaten Nigeria by nine runs, while they also lost to Uganda by four wickets.
Uganda, meanwhile, finished on top of Group B after beating Nigeria by six wickets yesterday.
After being sent in to bat, Nigeria scored 63 for nine wickets off their 20 overs, with captain Blessing Etim scoring 24 runs, while Uganda’s Concy Aweko took three wickets for 16 runs.
The target was never a problem for Uganda who reached it for the loss of four wickets with five overs to spare.
Prosscovia Alako was their top scorer with 23 runs (3×4), while Adeshola Adekunle took two wickets for 13 runs for Nigeria.
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