Action hots up in Harare as Namibia cruise into final

• Rwanda defeat Mozambique in final over thriller
• Aweko bags 4 wickets in 5 deliveries to deny Kenya
• Tanzania thump Nigeria at Takashinga to open account
• Namibia make light work of Sierra Leone to book spot in Sunday’s final

Concy Aweko helped herself to a hat-trick to seal a tense victory for Uganda over rivals Kenya, while the match of the day was undoubtedly between Rwanda and Mozambique. Rwanda prevailed by just one wicket - and three balls to spare, to snatch a remarkable encounter.

Mozambique had posted 137 for six, thanks to Eulalia Moiane and skipper Palmira Cuinica both scoring 48 at the top of the order. Cristina Magaia looked well set on 20 before she was run out, and that untimely demise may have cost Mozambique the few extra runs they needed.

In the chase, Henriette Ishimwe (48) was the glue, until she was run out on the first ball of the final over, with three runs still required for victory. Mozambique couldn't find that final scalp, and were left to rue 23 extras on the scorecard, as Rwanda scrambled home for a famous win.

In other action, Tanzania overwhelmed Nigeria by 86 runs, after half-centuries from Fatuma Kibasu (70) and Monica Pascal (61 not out) had seen them reach 156 for one. Nigeria were then bowled out for 70, with top-scorer Samantha Agazuma the last to fall, off the final ball of the innings.

In Group B, Uganda and Kenya served up another tight contest, with the defending champions prevailing by just four runs. Concy Aweko took a hat-trick with the last three balls of the match, as Kenya tried in vain to get the seven runs required to win.

Uganda's 100 for five, on a slow pitch, was made competitive by Immaculate Nakisuuyi, who struck 30 from 25 balls. Rila Musamali's 18 not out, and Stephanie Nampina's 12 not out as a number 11, were also vital in the final analysis.

The Kenyan chase started very positively, with S Kinyua (40) and V Abuga (27) adding 48 for the first wicket. Once they perished, however, the going got much tougher for the East Africans.

Aweko finished with figures of four for 12, including wickets off the second, fourth, fifth and sixth deliveries of the final over of another engaging match.

In the final match of the day, Sierra Leone and Namibia met with the Southern African’s needing a victory to qualify for Sunday’s final. Sierra Leone posted 74 for eight batting first, with no batter making any headway. Marike Short helped herself to three for 10 with the ball.

Chasing 75, Namibia needed just 12.2 overs to get the job done, without losing a wicket. Adri van der Merwe continued her excellent form thus far with 25 not out, while Kayleen Green notched a breezy 36 not out.

With Group B done and dusted, tomorrow’s fixture’s see Tanzania play Mozambique at Takashinga while Zimbabwe face Rwanda at Old Hararian’s looking to tighten their grip on Group A.

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Scores in brief:

Group A

Mozambique v RwandaMozambique 137 for six ( P Cuinica 48, E Moiane 48, M Bimenyimana three for 21)
Rwanda 138 for nine (H Ishimwe 48, C Murrombe three for 27)
Rwanda won by one wicket

Tanzania v NigeriaTanzania 156 for one (F Kibasu 70, M Pascal 61 not out)
Nigeria 70 all out (S Agazuma 23, N Tindo four for 8)
Tanzania won by 86 runs.

Group B

Uganda v KenyaUganda 100 for five (I Nakisuuyi 30)
Kenya 96 for seven **(**S Kinyua 40, V Abuga 27, C Aweko four for 12)
Uganda won by four runs

Namibia v Sierra LeoneSierra Leone 74 for eight ( M Short three for 10)
Namibia 75 without loss (K Green 36 not out, A van der Merwe 25 not out)
Namibia won by ten wickets

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT

Kuben Pillay

ICC Tournament Director

Email – kubenp@cricket.co.za

Zimbabwe Mobile : +263 78 690 2623