RWANDA will be looking for a strong start in the ICC Africa Division 3 T20 tournament when they take on Lesotho in Group A this afternoon. Before the national cricket team’s departure on Tuesday night, the skipper Eric Dusingizimana said that they were looking to get off to a good start.

"In such tournaments, it is paramount that you get off to a good start and the boys have that at the back of their minds,” the 20-year-old said this during a farewell dinner at Hilltop Hotel.

While it is the first time the sides are meeting in T-20 cricket, Rwanda has had the better of the Southern nation in One Day Internationals (ODI) after a run of three wins.

"We have beaten them in ODIs but this is a different format and it is important that we don’t take them lightly,” Dusingizimana warned.

Coach Adam Anorld echoed his captain’s words saying that he expects the team to have a smooth run in the tourney.
"We have prepared well for this tourney and I’m pretty convinced that we shall have a good tournament,” the Australian said.

Seychelles and Cameroon complete the group while Group B pits Morocco against Mali, Gambia and St. Helena. The five-day tournament, which is being staged in Accra, Ghana, is also the first qualifying round for next year’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

Rwanda – Group A match schedule
February 24 - Rwanda vs Lesotho
February 25 - Rwanda vs Seychelles
February 26 - Rwanda vs Cameroon

Ends