Series: Nigeria Invitational 2022
Venue: TBS Cricket Oval
Format: T20I
Toss: Sierra Leone
Result: Rwanda by 9 wickets
Aminata Kamara won the toss for Sierra Leone and chose to bat against Rwanda, a team they had never played before. Rwanda, one of the favourites for the tournament, would present a big challenge for Aminata and her team.
The captain was out in the third over for just 1 run, caught behind off the bowling of Sifa Ingabire. A procession followed, Linda Bull (1) in the fourth over, Ann-Marie Kamara runout for a duck, then Ingabire striking next ball to remove Mary Sherriff, making it 12/4.
Mabinty King (8) tried to steady the ship with Fatu Pessima (10) but was dismissed when the score was 33, followed by the latter, making it 37/6. The tail wagged a little and indeed number ten batter Zainab Kamara finished on 12 not out, the top score when the innings ended 71/8.
The target was never going to trouble the strong Rwanda batting line-up unless Sierra Leone could take early wickets. They didn’t. Gisele Ishimwe entertained with a bright knock of 41 which included five boundaries and hers was the only wicket to fall.
Sarah Uwera and Cathia Uwamahoro finished the job to see Rwanda victors by 9 wickets, earning themselves 2 points for the match, remaining undefeated so far in the tournament. Gisele Ishimwe was named Player of the match.
Scores:
Sierra Leone 71/8 (Zainab Kamara 12*, Sifa Ingabire 2-14, Immaculee Muhawenimana 2-14) 20 overs
Rwanda 72/1 (Gisele Ishimwe 41, Sarah Uwera 18*, Zainab Kamara 1-10) 11.5 overs
Player of the Match: Gisele Ishimwe