Chakwera hails jnr women’s cricket team
President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday hailed the Malawi Under-20 National Cricket Team for winning the Under-19 Women’s T-20 World Cup Sub-regional Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Malawi ladies’ junior side shone brightly at the event by winning all their six matches, culminating in a two-wicket triumph over favourites Kenya on Tuesday.
Part of a statement from the State House reads: “The First Lady and I congratulate the Malawi Under-19 Women’s National Cricket Team on bagging six-straight wins to bring home the International Cricket Council Under-19 Women’s T-20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifiers’ Cup.
“We are proud of their hard work and dedication to the service of their country.
“As they head to the finals, we urge all Malawians to support them. We are confident that they will make Malawi proud and potentially qualify for the Under-19 T-20 World Cup in Malaysia in 2025.
Malawi’s captain Ketrina Chingaipe said they are humbled with the first couple’s gesture.
She said: “It means a lot to us and it will definitely inspire us to work even harder in the final qualifying tournament.
“We are further grateful to Malawians for their support which was a source of motivation and we do not take it for granted.
Chingaipe also acknowledged the support they got from Cricket Malawi and the technical panel.
Following the team’s qualification, they join Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria, who have also sailed through the final qualifiers scheduled for Rwanda next month. A statement from International Cricket Council says that in the match against Kenya, Malawi held their nerve to squeeze out a tight two-wicket victory in a thrilling decider.
