NCF WOMEN’S T20I TOURNAMENT (DAY 5: MATCH REPORT)
- Nigeria draws 1st blood against Rwanda as they win by 3 runs to finish top of the table.
- Salome Sunday stays consistent ass she scores another half century.
- Sierra Leone records 2nd victory of the tournament against The Gambia.
NCF WOMEN’S T20I POINTS TABLE
| TEAM | MATCHES | WIN | LOSE | TIED | N/RESULT | POINTS | NRR |
|
NIGERIA |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2.862 |
|
RWANDA |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
2.989 |
| SIERRA LEONE |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0.903 |
|
GHANA |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-1.495 |
| THE GAMBIA |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-6.352 |
*Match 1:(The Gambia vs Sierra Leone 9:30am)*
The Gambia was hoping for a first victory of the tournament against Sierra Leone after play was delayed due to rain to see the match reduced to 9 overs.
Sierra Leone won the toss and elected to bat first scoring a total of 67 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 9 overs.
Mabinty Sankoh scored 16 runs off 15 balls, supported by Zainab Kamara and Mabinty King with 10 runs off 8 and 16 balls respectively.
In the second innings, the Gambia lost 6 wickets in their run chase to manage just 14 runs in 9 overs.
Fatu Pessima got 2 wickets, conceding 3 runs in 2 overs as the best bowling statistics for The Gambia.
Mabinty sankoh was named player of the match
*Sierra Leone won by 52 runs.*
*Match 2:(Nigeria vs Rwanda 1:50pm)*
The much anticipated, high octane match of the tournament between Nigeria and Rwanda lived up to expectation with both teams evenly matched for the contest after winning 3 matches each prior to this encounter. Fans, stake holders and Neutrals were all on their feet for much of the game either by tension soaked moments or just applauding exceptional all round individual and team performances.
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first sending Rwanda to field. Opening bating pair of Kehinde Abdulquadri and Lucky Piety once again was unable to give the Nigeria team the desired start as 2 wickets fell in the first 3 overs. Salome Sunday came into the fray of things and very quickly changed the complexion of the game by scoring around the wickets and hitting the boundaries. The Rwanda fielding display was a pleasure to watch throughout the innings as they sustained pressure to ensure that Nigeria lost 6 wickets for 117 runs in 20 overs.
Salome Sunday was top scorer with the bat as she finished with 63 runs off 58 balls, supported by Oseyande Omokhobio with 11 runs off 9 balls and Abigail Igbobie with 11 runs off 25 balls.
Vumilia, Ikuzwe, Henrientte and Flora all had 1 wicket at piece for Rwanda.
The second innings resumed with same intensity as the first with Captain Diane Bimenyiana leading her team from the front in their attempted run chase. Things didn’t go as planned as Rwanda lost 2 early wickets including the Captain’s from the Nigeria opening bowlers, Ude Lillian and Perculiar Agbonya.
Giselle Ishimwe, arguably one the most talented batter in this tournament was introduced and after surviving a few early scares, she dispatched the change bowlers of Nigeria, hitting 4’s and 6’s at will to transfer the pressure back to the Nigeria team. Wickets fell around her but she held on to ensure that the game went to the wire with the 6 runs required in the last over.
Rwanda could only manage 2 runs in that over with Miracle Imimole bowling what can be described as a miracle over to leave Rwanda agonizingly short of the total required to win the match. Stadium erupted with joy and excitement as fans rushed into the field to celebrate with the Nigeria team.
Giselle Ishimwe led the batting effort for Rwanda with 53 runs off 48 balls, supported by Cathia Uwamahoro with 17 runs off 16 balls, Uwimbabazi Antoinette with 13 runs off 16 balls and finally Ishimwe Henriette with 11 runs off 19 balls.
Sunday Salome was named player of the match.
*Nigeria won by 3 runs to set up a mouthwatering final on Sunday 3rd April by 1:50pm.*
*TOURNAMENT FIXTURES*
*Day 7: April 3rd*
(Morning Fixtures: 9:30am)
3rd place: Sierra Leone vs Ghana
(Afternoon Fixtures: 1:50pm)
Final: Nigeria vs Rwanda
*4th April (DEPARTURE)*
Ends………………
*MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE*
*PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER*