ZIMBABWE MAKE DREAM START TO AFRICA WOMEN’S QUALIFIER

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harare

06 May 2019

Hosts Zimbabwe made the perfect start to the ICC Women’s Qualifier, Africa 2019 on Sunday, as they defeated Mozambique by 163 runs in their opening game at Old Hararians.

  • Mayers stars for host’s in 163 run victory

  • Uganda open account against Sierra Leone

  • Rwanda down Nigeria with solid display in the field

Modester Mupachikwa (29) and Shame Mayers (62) gave the home side a perfect start, plundering 69 for the first wicket, before Chipo Mugeri (37 not out) added the gloss to a towering total of 198 for three in 20 overs.

It was a task that was easily beyond a young Mozambique side, and not a single batter reached double figures in the chase. Josephine Nkomo (two for 7) and Audrey Mazvishaya (two for 5) stood out for Zimbabwe with the ball, in a fast start to the competition for the favourites in Group A.

Meanwhile, defending champions Uganda also made a fine start, as they defeated Sierra Leone by 90 runs in Group B. Damati Busingye struck a steady 65 not out, while N Bagenda weighed in with 34, with Uganda ending on 143 for two in their allotted overs.

In reply, Sierra Leone struggled, in the face of some consistent bowling. Coney Aweko was the starlet, with four for 6 in just 3.5 overs. Immaculate Nakisuuyi also got amongst the wickets, with three for 14, as Uganda cruised to a comfortable opening victory.

In other Group A action, Nigeria were upset by a gallant Rwanda. Some gritty late-order batting from Rwanda, thanks in chief to Henriette Ishimwe’s  27, saw them post a tricky 102 for six for Nigeria to try and chase down.

The green machine spluttered to 65 all out, as tenacious fielding from Rwanda saw to it that four run outs were executed. That was good enough for a 37-run victory, for the happiest of first day upsets.

In the final fixture of the day, Namibia enjoyed a well-earned 39 run victory over plucky Kenya. Batting first, Namibia scored an even 117 for six, with contributions from Adri van der Merwe (25), Sune Wittmann (25) and Kayleen Green (21). Mercyline Ochieng helped herself to a tidy three for 11 in her four over spell.

That workmanlike innings gave Namibia enough breathing space with the ball, and it was only Daisy Njoroge (18 from 19 balls) who made some sort of impression with the bat for Kenya. In the end, they were all out on the final ball of the innings, as Namibia prevailed comfortably.

This morning’s fixtures see Kenya face Sierra Leone at Takashinga while Nigeria take on Mozambique at Old Hararians.

Uganda battle Namibia in a pivotal Group B clash this afternoon with Zimbabwe facing Tanzania at Takashinga.

Follow all the action live through here https://www.icc-cricket.com/live-cricket/live

Scores in brief:

Group A

Zimbabwe v Mozambique
Zimbabwe 198 for three (S Mayers 62, C Mugeri 37 not out)
Mozambique 35 all out (A Mazvishaya two for 5, J Nkomo two for 7)
Zimbabwe won by 163 runs

Rwanda v Nigeria
Rwanda 102 for six (H Ishimwe 27)
Nigeria 65 all out
Rwanda won by 37 runs

Group B

Uganda v Sierra Leone
Uganda 143 for two (D Busingye 65 not out, N Bagenda 34)
Sierra Leone 53 all out (C Aweko four for 6, I Nakisuuyi three for 14)
Uganda won by 90 runs

Namibia v Kenya
Namibia 117 for six (A van de Merwe 25, S Wittmann 25, M Ochieng three for 11)
Kenya 78 all out (D Njoroge 18, I van Zyl two for 9)
Namibia won by 39 runs

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT

Kuben Pillay

ICC Tournament Director

Email – [email protected]

Zimbabwe Mobile : +263 85 720 4044

ENDS

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