Brief History of Kenya Women’s National Cricket Team
The Kenya national women’s cricket team represents Kenya in international women’s cricket. In April 2018, the ICC granted full Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) status to all its members. Consequently, all T20 matches played between Kenya and other international sides since 1 July 2018 have been recognized as WT20Is.
Historical Highlights – Kenya Women’s National Cricket Team
Kenya’s women’s cricket team played their first matches in January 2006, participating in a triangular series against Kenya A and Uganda.
Kenya competed in the African regional qualifier for the 2009 World Cup in December, facing Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Despite their efforts, they finished last in the tournament. Sarah Bhakita scored an unbeaten 186 against Rwanda, becoming the second woman in the world to achieve such a feat in an international match.
The team participated in the World Cup Qualifier in Nairobi. Despite tying with Zimbabwe for second place, they missed out on the opportunity to represent the continent, with South Africa winning all their matches. Under the captaincy of Emily Ruto, Kenya won the Africa Women’s Championships. At the annual Africa Cricket Championships in Kampala, Uganda; Kenya finished fourth, behind Uganda, Tanzania, and Namibia.
Kenya made their WT20I debut on 6 April 2019 against Zimbabwe during the 2019 Victoria Tri-Series in Kampala, Uganda. Kenya participated in the ICC Africa Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifiers aiming for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
Tournament Highlights – Kenya Women’s National Cricket Team
1. 2023 ACA Africa T20 Cup:
Placed in Group B alongside Botswana, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Kenya won all their matches and advanced to the playoffs. They lost to Uganda by 91 runs in the final, finishing as runners-up.
2. 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Division Two Qualifier:
Kenya won all their matches against Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, and Cameroon. They defeated the latter by 118 runs and finally, they clinched the title by winning against Botswana by 9 wickets, qualifying for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier.
3. Kwibuka Women’s Twenty20 Tournament:
Kenya won all four of their matches in the double round-robin tri-nation series, claiming the title. Kenya has been the most successful team in the tournament, in their six appearances they have won the titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2021. They were runners-up in 2022 and finished third in 2023.