Kibasu powers Tanzania to victory over Rwanda
The national women’s team captain Fatuma Kibasu (centre) plays a shot during the 2019 ICC World Cup qualifier against Rwanda at the Takashinga Cricket Club course in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday. Tanzania won by 38 runs . PHOTO | COURTESY OF TCA
What you need to know:
Henrietta Ishimwe again starred for Rwanda, taking two wickets, including that of Kibasu, for 20 runs, and also running out Pius.
Harare. The national women’s cricket team wound up their 2019 ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers group stage with a bang as they beat Rwanda by 38 runs in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Fine innings from team captain Fatuma Kibasu, whose score of 48 was more than twice what any other player from either team could manage, steered Tanzania to the victory they needed to finish second in Group A.
Tanzania opted to bat on winning the toss, but most of their top order failed in the match held at the Takashinga Sports Club ground on Saturday.
They owed almost everything to Kibasu, who held the batting together almost single-handedly.
Monica Pascal (5) was dismissed with the score at 13, followed by Hudaa Omary, who struggled to make four off 15 balls in a partnership of 21 with Kibasu.
Perice Mamunya and Tabu Omary scored only six each, and Tanzania were 65 for four in the 15th over, but Kibasu was still going strong.
Neema Pius was more aggressive, scoring 11 off nine balls before being run out at 88 after 17 overs.
Kibasu batted through to the 19th over, when she was caught for her superb 48 off 56 balls, making the total 98 for six. She hit six fours in her innings.
The seventh-wicket pair of Nasra Saidi (16 not out off eight balls) and Getride Mushi (6 not out off five), scored 16 runs off the final eight deliveries to bring the total to 114 for six.
Henrietta Ishimwe again starred for Rwanda, taking two wickets, including that of Kibasu, for 20 runs, and also running out Pius.
It was a reasonable although not a great target, but Rwanda soon found themselves in trouble as they chased it.
Marie Bimenyimana and Veronique Inho both struggled for runs at the start, and the former was stumped for three off 11 balls in the fourth over, with the score only eight.
Diane Dusabemungu was bowled in the following over, while Gisele Ishimwe also failed to score; the score in the sixth over was 10 for three.
Henrietta Ishimwe began to turn things around in company with Iriho. After 10 overs, the score was still only 35 for three, though.
