Global Game: Kwibuka T20 tournament kicks off in Rwanda

• Tournament will be played in a round robin format this year after Uganda pull out
• Nhamburo set to take charge of Rwanda for the first time
• Event to be live streamed by RCA in partnership with Women’s CricZone
• Two time champions Kenya make a late entry as five teams battle for the title this year

About Kwibuka T20

The Kwibuka T20 tournament is being played in Rwanda which started on 6 June and will go on till 12 June. It marks the return of associate cricket for women in Africa. The five-team event will see hosts Rwanda compete with Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria, and Kenya. The week long event consists of 14 matches, 10 round-robin games and four knockout matches, that will kick off with a clash between hosts Rwanda and tournament debutantes Botswana.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier scheduled to be played in Botswana from September 3 to 11, the Kwibuka T20 tournament serves as almost the perfect dress rehearsal for the participating teams, an opportunity to stake out the competition, create plans and test out some theories is a low stakes environment. The qualifier will see four of the five teams joined by Cameroon, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to fight for a spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in 2022.

The Kwibuka tournament got underway at the picturesque Gahanga ground, and in a pleasant surprise the matches are available to view through a livestream. Uganda were a late scratching after a breach of their bio-bubble turned up positive COVID-19 tests prior to departure, leaving the tournament as a 5-team event. The hosts started their campaign with a thumping win over first-timers Botswana, and pre-tournament favourites Namibia asserted themselves with a dominant display against Nigeria. Three-time champions Kenya will play their first match on the second day.

Rwandan captain Sarah Uwera started the tournament, held yearly to commemorate survivors of the 1994 genocide, by winning the toss and the match was one-way traffic after that. Botswana were inserted, and Rwanda’s bowlers ran riot, with not a single batter passing double figures or even hitting a boundary; 15 extras were the only blemish for the hosts. Alice Ikuzwe’s figures were the most impressive with 3/5 off 3 overs.

In response, Rwanda has no trouble in polishing off the runs within 6 overs. A calling mix-up saw Diane Dusabemungu sent back to the pavilion (one of the most photogenic in world cricket), and Amantle Mokgotlhe removed Giselle Ishimwe after she was bogged down, but captain Uwera made sure there would be no blunders as she iced the tiny chase.

The afternoon match on the first day saw a hungry Namibian side in action, and their bowlers looked just as dominant as the Rwandans had been in the morning. Again, not a single Nigerian reached double figures, and again extras was the only blemish; opening bowler and captain Irene van Zyl, after being asked to bowl by Samatha Agazuma, looked a little rusty (and frustrated at herself) early in her spell as she sprayed four wides between a threatening burst of seam bowling. Young offspinner Victoria Hamunyela was the star though, scalping 4/8 off her allotment and hustling through her overs to hurry the Nigerian batters. The West Africans looked flustered as they hit out against her flighted deliveries and will need to improve their application if they want to progress to the tournament final. Hamunyela was ably supported by the seam duo of Wilka Mwatile (1/8 of 3) and Sylvia Shihepo (2/4 off 3), the latter adding to her tally as Namibia’s top T20I wicket-taker in women’s cricket.

The chase was also a clinic from Arrasta Diergaardt, with the technically-correct opener mixing discipline and aggression as she pushed boundaries and singles on her way to 26* as Namibia cruised past their target just two wickets down in the 10th over.

Squads

Rwanda: Sarah Uwera (c), Sifa Ingabire, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Alicia Ikuzwe, Diane Ishimwe, Marie Diane Bimenyimana, Henriette Ishimwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Flora Irakoze, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Belyse Murakatete, Cathia Uwamahoro, Delphine Mukarurangwa, Margueritte Vumiliya, Antoinette Uwimbabazi, Merveille Uwase, Josiane Uwimbabazi, Olive Dusabimana

**Kenya:**Margaret Banja Ngoche (c), Sarah Bhakita Wetoto, Daisy Wairimu Njoroge, Sharon Akoth Juma (wk), Flavia Atieno Odhiambo, Melvin Khagoiza Idambo, Edith Wanjiru Waithaka, Brenda Mogusu, Queentor Aoko Abel, Esther Wangare Wachira, Monica Ndhambi, Ruth Ambiyo Achando, Josephine Adhiambo Abwom, Veronica Anyango Abuga, Jane Achieng Otieno, Lavendah Alivitsa Idambo, Marion Juma Okira

Namibia: Irene van Zyl (c), Yasmeen Khan, Arrasta Diergaardt, Kayleen Green, Adri van der Merwe, Reehana Khan, Didi Foerster, Wilka Mwatile, Sylvia Shihepo, Sune Wittmann, Shiwomwenyo Namusha, Victoria Hamunyla, Edelle van Zyl, Mezerly Gorases

Botswana: Laura Mophakedi (c), Florence Samanyika (vc), Shameelah Mosweu, Botho Freeman, Jacqueline Kgang, Amantle Mokgotlhe, Tebogo Motlhabaphuti, Botsogo Mpedi, Bontle Mademabe (wk), Tuelo Shadrack, Onneile Keitsemang, Precious Modimo, Collin Mokibelo, Thapelo Modise, Tebagano Ditshotlo

Nigeria: Samantha Agazuma (c), Blessing Etim, Omonye Asika, Agatha Obulor, Favour Eseigbe, Rechael Samson, Kehinde Abdulquadri, Abigail Igbobie, Salome Sunday, Miracle Imimole, Mary Desmond, Esther Sandy, Joy Efosa, Lucky Piety, Blessing Nwobodo

Global Game is a collaboration between the ICC andEmerging Cricket.