ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier A
Rwanda completed a flawless, unbeaten campaign to top the standings at the Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier A in Gaborone, sealing their place alongside regional heavyweights Kenya in next year’s decisive continental final.
The two nations emerged from a highly competitive seven-team tournament that also featured hosts Botswana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. Both sides now take a significant step forward along the qualification pathway toward the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.
For Rwanda, a perfect record of six wins from six matches represents a historic landmark.
“We put a lot of effort in and fought until the end,” said an elated Rwanda captain, Didier Ndikubwimana. “To win six games with strong teams like Kenya and Botswana in the mix was not easy. We took it one match at a time, and we are incredibly happy.”
Kenya bounced back resiliently from an early defeat to claim five victories, ensuring their progression. “It is a huge thing for us to qualify,” noted Kenya skipper Dhiren Gondaria. “The main thing for us now is to reset and do well in the next qualifiers.”
The porch final fixture of the tournament lived up to every ounce of its pre-match billing. Having elected to bat first, Rwanda were suffocated by a disciplined Botswana attack and restricted to a seemingly under-par 117-8. Hamza Khan top-scored with a patient 23, while late-order cameos from Martin Akayezu (19) and Emile Rukiriza (16) provided vital lower-order oxygen. Brandon Van Zyl was the pick of the local bowlers with an impressive 3-23.
Botswana’s chase was anchored with immense poise by their captain, Karabo Motlhanka, who compiled a classy 40 from 38 balls. However, Rwanda’s bowlers struck back at regular intervals, led by the analytical seam positions of Akayezu (2-24) and Yves Cyusa (2-31).
With the match seemingly slipping away from the hosts, Dhruvkumar Maisuria launched a jaw-dropping final-over assault, blasting an unbeaten 16 from just five balls. It left the contest on a knife-edge until the final delivery, but Rwandan seamer Ignace Ntirenganya held his nerve to deny the hosts by just two runs. Akayezu was named Player of the Match for his crucial all-round display.
Côte d’Ivoire vs Kenya: A historic demolition
BCA Oval 2
Côte d’Ivoire 18 all out (12.3 overs):Mwendwa 4-2, Oluoch 2-4, Gill 2-5
Kenya 19-1 (1.4 overs):Singh 10
Kenya won by 9 wickets
If the match at Oval 1 was a masterclass in tension, the fixture at Oval 2 was a brutal display of bowling efficiency. Kenya sealed their qualification by rolling over Côte d’Ivoire for a mere 18 runs—one of the lowest totals recorded in Associate T20 international history.
Gerard Mwendwa produced an extraordinary opening spell, claiming a staggering four wickets for just two runs across his four overs, including three maidens. Supported by Lucas Oluoch (2-4) and Sachin Gill (2-5), the Ivorian lineup collapsed inside 13 overs. Kenya’s top order then knocked off the 19 runs required in just 10 deliveries to secure a comprehensive nine-wicket win.
Mali vs Sierra Leone: Finishing on a high
BCA Oval 1 (Morning)
Mali 97-9 (20 overs):Reddy 39; Sesay 3-6, Gbla 3-19
Sierra Leone 99-4 (12.1 overs):E Turay 35, Coker 32
Sierra Leone won by 6 wickets
Sierra Leone rounded off their tournament layout with a convincing victory over Mali. A sensational opening burst from George Sesay, who returned the exceptional figures of 3-6 from his four overs, kept Mali completely shackled to 97-9 despite a fighting 39 from Vamshi Reddy.
Though Sierra Leone stumbled to 23-3 during the powerplay chase, an unbeaten 52-run partnership between wicketkeeper Eric Turay (35) and Raymond Coker (32) guided them home comfortably with nearly eight overs to spare.
Tournament Awards
Khan named Player of the Tournament
Rwanda’s Hamza Khan claimed the tournament’s highest individual honour following a masterful campaign with the bat. Khan accumulated 288 runs across his six innings at a blistering strike rate of 165.52. His tournament was defined by a historic, unbeaten 164 against Côte d’Ivoire, the second-highest individual score ever recorded in Men’s T20 International history.
Botswana’s captain Karabo Motlhanka took the batting award, anchoring his team’s tournament with 274 runs at a remarkable average of 91.3.
Kenya’s Sachin Gill was named the Best Bowler; he was the standout operator with the ball, tearing through line-ups to take 17 wickets at an astonishing average of 4.06 and an economy rate of 3.29, including tournament-best figures of 7-7.
