Rwanda defeated their African counterparts Zimbabwe by 39 runs to record a famous victory on the fourth morning of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, while New Zealand made short work of Ireland.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first in Potchefstroom, and Rwanda immediately set to task in making a total that would test their African counterparts.
Openers Merveille Uwase and Cynthia Tuyizere made a terrific start, adding a steady 49 for the first wicket.
Uwase fell first, bowled by Tawana Marumani for 18 off 33 deliveries (one boundary).
That brought the aggressive Gisele Ishimwe to the crease, and she dispatched five boundaries on her way to 34 from 23 balls. Tuyizere meanwhile, chalked up 30 from 44 balls, being the glue for the top-order.
They added the bulk of the runs, and Zimbabwe did not help themselves by providing 20 extras to the total. That saw the total swell to 119 for eight, despite seven Rwandan wickets falling in the last five overs of the innings.
Chipo Moyo was the pick of the bowlers, with three for 22. This included two wickets off successive balls in the final over, as Rwanda scrambled for late runs.
Coming off a number of poor batting performances, Zimbabwe were immediately put under pressure by a disciplined Rwanda.
They added the bulk of the runs, and Zimbabwe did not help themselves by providing 20 extras to the total. That saw the total swell to 119 for eight, despite seven Rwandan wickets falling in the last five overs of the innings. Chipo Moyo was the pick of the bowlers, with three for 22. This included two wickets off successive balls in the final over, as Rwanda scrambled for late runs.
By the 12th over, the asking rate had jumped to over eight runs an over. After the settled Kelly Ndiraya 20 from 38 fell to a brilliant diving catch from Sylvia Usabyimana, Zimbabwe lost the plot and never came close to their target.
Henriette Ishimwe, who took the new ball, returned a terrific second spell, as the pressure mounted. Her final figures of four for 13 were decisive and sensational.
The wickets came off consecutive balls in the 19th over, giving her the second hat-trick in the tournament in as many days, but making her the first bowler to take four wickets in a row in an event that is seeing many firsts.
Fittingly, she also took the final wicket to spark exuberant celebrations. This is Rwanda’s first win at an ICC World Cup.
Scores in brief:
Toss: Zimbabwe, who elected to field.
Rwanda 119 for eight in 20 overs (Gisele Ishimwe 34, Cynthia Tuyizere 30, Chipo Moyo three for 22)
Zimbabwe 80 all out in 18.4 overs (Natasha Mtomba 20, Kelly Ndiraya 20, Henriette Ishimwe four for 13)
