Monday fixtures

Tanzania vs Nigeria

Rwanda vs Sierra Leone

Rwanda women national cricket team captain Marie Diane Bimenyimana has called on her teammates to build on momentum from Sunday’s win over Tanzania for the rest of the Nigeria Invitational Women T20 tournament.

Leonard Nhamburo's team overcame a shaky start to register a morale-boosting 33-run win against their top-ranked and East African neighbors in the opening game of the four-nation tournament at the TBS cricket ground in Lagos.

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Tanzania, who are making their debut to the tournament, are the best-ranked associate country in Africa, whereas Rwanda are making fourth appearance and seeking a second title following success in 2022.

Bimenyimana won the toss and opted to bat and her team went on to score 119 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs. It looked a decent score to defend and, against a superior opponent like Tanzania, it also looked possible to chase.

As it turned out, Rwanda's formidable bowling, led by player of the match, Henriette Ishimwe, reduced Tanzania to 86 runs all out in 16.4 overs.

Ishimwe finished with 17 runs and three wickets to give her teammates a breathing air and time to make their intentions quite clear heading into Monday's second game against Sierra Leone.

Bimenyimana, without sounding overconfident but sure of her team's ability, said, "It was a good win for us. The way we started, it was a tough game but we came back strong."

"We (want) to continue with the momentum. We are going to continue to get thing right and the rest will take care of itself," the captain and medium-pace bowler said in the post-game interview.

Merveille Uwase was Rwanda's top scorer with 36 runs, including 2 sixes and a four off 38 balls, while Clarrise Umutoniwase had 25 off 17 balls.

Tanzania's Sophia Frenk Jerome picked two wickets from 4 overs for just 10 runs.

In the second inning, Ishimwe ran through the Tanzanian batting order, finishing with 3 wickets in 3 overs for 14 runs. Saumu Godfrey Mtae scored 29 runs including a six and 4 fours off 21 balls.

Bimenyimana did shine with the ball, claiming 2 wickets in 4 overs including a maiden for 12 runs.

Rwanda, Nigeria and Tanzania are using the tournament as part preparations for the 2024 All Africa Games scheduled for March 7-15 in Accra, Ghana.

Rwanda is pooled in Group B together with Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya. Group A has South Africa Namibia, Tanzania and Nigeria.