Dusingizimana breaks world cricket batting record

The National Cricket team captain Eric Dusingizimana, yesterday, set a new world record after batting for 51 hours in the net at Amahoro indoor stadium in Kigali. The 29-year-old, who had been batting since Wednesday morning surpassed the previous record set by India’s Virag Male, who batted for 50 hours. Bowlers from all over the world participated in this exercise, including former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, former UK Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, and British High Commissioner to Rwanda, William Gelling. Other bowlers included Sports and Culture minister Julienne Uwacu, Miss Rwanda Jolly Mutesi, as well as Amavubi assistant coach, Jimmy Mulisa. Rwandan cricket players were also in attendance and bowled throughout the two nights as well as wicket keeping. Participants that were attending the World Economic Forum on Africa, that concluded yesterday, also took part in the bowling sessions. A weary Dusingizimana said after he had broken the record that he was motivated to take part in the record breaking exercise in a bid to raise funds for the construction of a first ever home for cricket in the country. “I thank all the people who have been around to see history being made in Rwanda, all bowlers, the cricket fraternity, friends and well-wishers for being there and supporting me. I was inspired to do this in order to raise money to build a good cricket ground with top level facilities,” the 29-year-old said. Dusingizimana is one of the most experienced cricketers in the country and has played for various clubs including: Young Tigers, Impala Titans, Dugout, and Right Guards, his current club. He got his first national team call up in 2008 and, since then, he has helped the national team win the ICC division three tournaments in Accra, Ghana in 2011 as well as captaining the team in various international competitions. On the local scene, he has won various tournaments, including the 50-Overs Premier League in 2006 with Right Guards. He has also won several individual awards. Minister Uwacu paid glowing tribute to Dusingizimana for putting Rwandan sports on the global map. “Breaking the world record as a Rwandan is a great step towards the development of not only cricket but all the sports disciplines in the country,” the minister said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw