Rwanda on verge of ICC Division 1 qualification

RWANDA U-19 Cricket team boosted their chances of progressing to the next stage of the ICC Africa U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers after beating Gambia by 152 runs on Thursday at the on-going Division 2 tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.The national team won the toss against the Gambians and chose to bat. Rwanda were bowled out for 202 with batting contribution from Eric Ndangamyambi, who scored 60 runs off 104 balls including five 4s and Derrick Bayingama, who added 40 runs off 49 balls (two 4s and 1 six). For the Gambia, Faye took 3 wickets for 26 runs in 8 overs. The Gambia were bowled out for 50 thanks to Theo Gatera’s impressive bowling figures of 5 wickets for 12 runs.Rwanda, who were still yet to play their decisive match against Mozambique by press time, had already registered two wins out of four matches. A win for Rwanda against the South African side will guarantee the country promotion to Division 1.In the opening match, Ghana batted against Rwanda after winning the toss. Ghana scored a total of 121 for the loss of 3 wickets in their 20 overs with batting contribution from Aboagye, who scored 31 off 30 balls (2 6’s) and Ateak 26 off 19 (4 4’s). Don Dieu Mugisha took 2 for 22. Chasing the total, Rwanda was bowled out for 50 with Aboagye taking 3 for 11 and Bakiweyem 2 for 5. Ghana won by 73 runs.In the second game against Swaziland, Rwanda won the toss and opted to Field. Swaziland was bowled out for 191 with Sandeep scoring 57 off 103 balls and Pheiffer scoring 45 off 69. For Rwanda, Mugisha took 3 wickets for 39 runs in 8.4 overs.Rwanda was bowled out for 104 and then Chambers took 4 wickets for 24 runs to help Swaziland win by 87 runs.In the third game against Tanzania, Rwanda won the toss and decided to bat. Rwanda scored 174 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 45.2 overs with Mugisha scoring 56 and Derrick Bayingana scoring 24 runs. For Tanzania, Samir K. Nasser took 3 wickets for 25 runs in 10 overs and Mobeen Elyas took 3 wickets for 39 runs in 7.2 overs. Tanzania scored 170 for the loss of 10 wickets in 45.3 overs with batting contribution from A. R. Phulwani with 31 runs and Z.R Jabaneke with 26 runs. Bayingana took 3 wickets for 33 runs in 5.3 overs and Freddy Ndayisenga took 3 wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs. Rwanda won by 4 runs.Ghana are at the top of the standing with four wins out of four matches after registering a 5-wicket victory over Tanzania on Thursday. Tanzania are in the second position with four points from two wins. Swaziland lies third in the standing despite tying Tanzania on points, number of wins and defeat.Rwanda, who have four points now, might finish in second position behind Ghana if they register a win against fifth-placed Mozambique. The Gambia are in sixth position.The top two nations will progress to the Division 1 tournament, which is expected to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from May 25-28, this year. In 2010, Rwanda were runners up to Nigeria.

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Rwanda on verge of ICC Division 1 qualification