Malawi U-19 women’scricket teamsniffs title

 The Malawi Under-19 Women’s Cricket National Team is on the verge of winning the Under-19 Women’s T-20 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifying Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, having won all their four matches so far.

The Malawi ladies junior team will also earn a slot at the Division One World Cup Qualifier if they win one of their remaining two games against Lesotho and favourites Kenya as only the two top teams will qualify.

As of yesterday, Malawi topped the seven-team log table with eight points from four matches. They were followed by Kenya, who had six points from three matches.

On Saturday, Malawi added Botswana to their growing list of casualties with a 103 run victory.

A press release from International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that left-arm quick Evah Kabwere took three key wickets while Mercy Kudimba blasted an undefeated half-century as Malawi moved to the brink of securing their slot to the last World Cup qualifying tournament.

Chasing 156 for victory, Botswana, who had suffered a heavy 135-run defeat against Kenya earlier in the day, lost three of their top four batters to Kabwere who removed Tlhalefos Godisamang, Captain Amanttle Letub and Aliya Motorolwa for ducks. Kabwere finished with an impressive bowling figures of 3-14 from her four overs.

Lucy Malino and Sophina Chinawa also weighed in with two wickets each to maintain their winning streak in the tournament.

In the first innings, Kudimba plundered 13 fours as she put on a batting masterclass. She scored an imperious unbeaten 88 off 56 deliveries to guide Malawi to a decent score of 155 for 5.

In Botswana’s run chase, Lesego Koogile was the only batter to reach double figures (11 not out).

Back-to-back defeats on Matchday three mean that Mozambique, who edged Lesotho, leapfrog Botswana into third place on net run rate.

Malawi coach Gershom Mtambalika said in an interview yesterday that he is proud of his girls’ exploits.

He said: “Just once again impressed by how a young group of girls have played with so much conviction and drive, especially Mercy Kudimba, who has been sensational with the bat having now scored 138 runs in 4 matches.

“Additionally, in Malawi’s first qualifiers in 2022, we only won one match and lost the remaining two and to be so dominant in less than two years, is a sign that our structures are improving.”

This afternoon, Malawi will play Lesotho.