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Shameelah Mosweu steals headlines as Botswana, Namibia extend winning streak

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Women's CricZone Staff
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Namibia stomp to the semi-final after yet another dominant outing

© Rwanda Cricket Association

Botswana and Namibia extended their winning run as Zimbabwe registered their first victory on day two of the 2023 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers on Friday (September 10). Cameroon's clash against Uganda had to be postponed after a player tested positive for COVID-19. 

In the first Group A fixture, Tanzania opted to bat first against Zimbabwe. However, they lost Fatuma Kibasu early to Nomvelo Sibanda. Joined by Monica Pascal, Saum Mtae tried to build a partnership. Together, they added 37 runs before the latter got out for a 32-ball 20.

Though Pascal tried to keep the innings going, Zimbabwe kept pegging away with wickets, and Tanzania were eventually all out for 103 in 19.4 overs. Pascal made 42 runs from 41 balls. Loryn Phiri was the pick of the bowler, taking four wickets for just 12 runs.

Looking for their first win in the tournament, Zimbabwe lost Precious Marange and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano early in the chase. Skipper Mary-Anne Musonda and Modester Mupachikwa joined hands and kept the chase going. The duo added 80 runs for the third wicket before the Mupachikwa got out. Musonda, however, remained not out till the end, taking their team across the line. She finished with 52 runs from 45 balls as Zimbabwe won by six wickets, with six balls to spare. 

Meanwhile, put in to bat by Mozambique in the second Group A encounter, Botswana were in for a surprise as Olga Matsolo and Isabel Chuma got rid of their openers early. Shameelah Mosweu and Laura Mophakedi tried to rebuild, but Christina Magaia struck in quick succession, and they were reduced to 57 for four.

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Amantle Mokgotlhe, along with Botsogo Mpedi, launched a counterattack, smashing the Mozambique bowlers for boundaries. She brought up her half-century in no time, finishing with 52 runs from 24 balls, and took the team to 151 for six in 20 overs.

Chasing more than seven runs per over, Mozambique struggled from ball one as they kept losing wickets in regular intervals. Mosweu ran through their middle-order, taking six wickets for three runs, including a hat-trick in the twelfth over. Mozambique were all out for 41 in 14 overs, and Botswana won by a huge margin of 110 runs.

In the lone Group B fixture of the day, Namibia won the toss and opted to bat. Despite losing Sune Wittmann early, Adri van der Merwe and Yasmeen Khan forged a partnership and kept the innings going for Namibia. 

Van der Merwe shortly after, but Khan and Kayleen Green added fifty runs for the third wicket, reviving the Namibia innings. They scored 29 runs each before getting out. Jurriene Diergaardt scored an unbeaten 15, taking the team to 125 for seven. Taiwo Abdulquadri and Joy Efosa took two wickets each for Nigeria. 

Though the openers added 21 runs for the first wicket, Nigeria could not build a strong partnership. They struggled against the tight bowling from Namibia and managed to score only 66 runs in 20 overs at the cost of seven wickets. 

Brief Scores:

Tanzania 103/10 in 19.4 overs (Monica Pascal 42; Loryn Phiri 4/12) lost to Zimbabwe 104/4 in 19 overs (Mary-Ann Musonda 52; Nasra Saidi 2/9) by six wickets.

Botswana 151/6 in 20 overs (Amantle Mokgotlhe 52; Christina Magaia 2/30) beat Mozambique 41/10 in 14 overs (Palmira Cuinica 13; Shameelah Mosweu 6/3) by 110 runs.

Namibia 125/7 in 20 overs (Kayleen Green 29; Taiwo Abdulquadri 2/19) beat Nigeria 66/7 in 20 overs (Omonye Asika 14; Kayleen Green 2/12) by 59 runs.
Botswana Mozambique Namibia T20 World Cup Nigeria
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