In a one-sided contest in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, Malawi U19 Women produced a disciplined all-round performance to defeat Cameroon U19 Women by eight wickets. The match unfolded with Malawi’s bowlers dominating proceedings early before a calm and composed chase sealed the result inside seven overs.
Cameroon’s innings never really gathered momentum after Malawi opted to bowl first. The opening pair of Menguenne Nzie Francoise Clara and Tekwe Rema Aboh walked in hoping to build a steady start, but Malawi struck almost immediately. In just the fourth ball of the innings, Esther Richard removed Menguenne Nzie for 2 off 4 balls, leaving Cameroon at 1/3 in 0.4 overs. The pressure intensified moments later when Ateh Chris Kelly Fulai was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the same over by Esther Richard, reducing Cameroon to 2/3 in 0.5 overs and putting the batting side on the back foot.
With the early damage done, Tekwe Rema Aboh attempted to stabilise the innings alongside Akele Amougoui Balbine Doris. The pair added the first meaningful partnership of the innings, putting together 28 runs for the third wicket. Tekwe struggled to accelerate, eventually scoring 8 from 22 balls, before Bridget Kasinja trapped her lbw at 31/3 in 7.2 overs. Just three balls later, Bridget Kasinja struck again, dismissing Akele Amougoui for 14 off 19 balls, which included Cameroon’s only boundary, leaving the scoreboard at 32/4 in 7.5 overs.
Cameroon’s middle order failed to recover from the twin blows. Guemo Dongmo Orchelle K was run out for 1 at 34/5 in 9.2 overs, followed immediately by Kameni Elomo Fride Elisabeth, who fell to Bridget Kasinja for 2 off 8 balls. The collapse continued dramatically as Zang Precious Chang was caught by Elizabeth Mapisa off Bridget Kasinja for a duck, leaving Cameroon reeling at 34/7 in 9.4 overs.
From there, the innings descended quickly. Sakinatou Moussa fought briefly for her 3 off 11 balls, remaining unbeaten, while Fokou Tsanang Jeni Fortune and Nanfack Kana Lyvana Dorcasse were both run out amid the chaos in the lower order. Akamba Gisele Isadora was also run out for a duck as Cameroon were eventually bowled out for 42 in 13.4 overs, with 9 extras contributing significantly to the modest total.
Malawi’s bowling attack was clinical throughout the innings. Bridget Kasinja delivered the standout spell with remarkable figures of 4 wickets for just 5 runs in 3.4 overs, dismantling the middle order with accuracy and control. Esther Richard set the tone early with 2/10 from 3 overs, while Princess Chidatha (2 overs for 10), Winnie Matabwa (1 over for 3), and Favour Piliyesi (4 overs for 14) kept things tight and ensured Cameroon never found rhythm.
Chasing a modest target of 43, Malawi approached the innings positively. Openers Angela Lumbe and Sphiwe Frank started briskly, adding 14 runs for the first wicket before Sphiwe Frank was run out by Tekwe Rema for 0 off 1 ball at 14/1 in 2.4 overs. Angela Lumbe continued to anchor the chase confidently, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.
She found brief support from Stella Kunje, who scored 2 off 6 balls before being bowled by Akele Amougoui Balbine Doris with the score at 18/2. Despite the second wicket falling, Cameroon could not create further breakthroughs. Lumbe then stitched together an unbeaten 25-run partnership with Caroleen Mangulama, calmly guiding Malawi towards the target.
Opener Angela Lumbe played the defining knock of the match, finishing 27 not out from 28 balls with two boundaries, while Caroleen Mangulama remained unbeaten on 4 from 6 deliveries. Malawi reached 43/2 in just 6.4 overs, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket victory. For Cameroon, Akele Amougoui Balbine Doris was the most effective bowler with 1/9 in 2.4 overs, while Fokou Tsanang Jeni Fortune conceded 18 runs in 2 overs and Sakinatou Moussa returned figures of 0/15 from 2 overs.
Malawi’s disciplined bowling, highlighted by Bridget Kasinja’s match-winning spell, combined with Angela Lumbe’s composed chase, ensured a comfortable win. The victory saw Malawi’s winning start to their campaign in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, showcasing their depth in both bowling and batting departments.
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