Brazil Women produced a disciplined all-round performance to defeat Malawi Women by 42 runs in the 8th Match of the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 at the Gahanga B Ground, Rwanda. After being asked to bat first, Brazil overcame a shaky start to post a competitive 124/8 in 20 overs before their bowlers delivered a clinical display to restrict Malawi Women to 82/9.
The innings began on a difficult note for Brazil Women as Lindsay Boas was dismissed early for just 1 run, leaving the side at 1/1 in the second over. Malawi’s Vanessa Phiri struck the first blow and gave her team the perfect start. However, captain Laura Agatha stepped in and steadied the innings with Maria Silva. The pair stitched together a valuable 16-run partnership for the second wicket before Silva departed for 12 off 16 balls, including two boundaries, with Sugeni Kananji striking to make it 17/2.
Agatha continued to anchor the innings and added another important stand with Laura Cardoso. Although Cardoso managed only 2 runs, the duo added 19 runs before Lucy Malino removed Cardoso at 36/3. The Brazilian skipper then found support from Roberta Moretti as the pair put together the most significant partnership of the innings. Their 49-run fourth wicket stand lifted Brazil from a vulnerable position and shifted the momentum firmly in their favour. Agatha played a captain’s knock of 52 from 43 deliveries, striking six fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Lucy Wesley in the 13th over with the score at 85/4.
After Agatha’s departure, Roberta Moretti contributed 16 runs from 20 balls while Monnike Machado injected some much-needed momentum in the closing stages. Machado’s brisk 14 off just 10 balls, featuring two boundaries, ensured Brazil maintained a healthy scoring rate. Lower-order contributions from Marianne Artur (6), Nicole Monteiro (3*), Lara Moisés (2*), and the addition of 15 extras helped Brazil finish on 124/8 from their allotted 20 overs.
Malawi’s bowlers shared the wickets effectively despite conceding runs in the middle overs. Lidia Dimba was the standout performer with figures of 2/10 from her three overs. Praise Maziya also claimed 2/27, while Sugeni Kananji, Vanessa Phiri, Lucy Malino, and Lucy Wesley picked up one wicket each. Their efforts kept Brazil from posting an even larger total.
Chasing 125, Malawi Women endured a disastrous start as Brazil’s bowlers dominated from the outset. Angela Lumbe was trapped lbw by Maria Ribeiro for a first-ball duck, and Sugeni Kananji followed immediately without scoring, leaving Malawi reeling at 2/0 inside two overs. Sophina Chinawa and Praise Maziya attempted to rebuild the innings with a 23-run partnership for the third wicket. Chinawa scored 14 from 32 balls, while Maziya added 11 from 24 deliveries before Lara Moisés broke the stand, by dismissing Chinawa at 25/3.
Lidia Dimba emerged as the lone bright spot in Malawi’s batting effort. She compiled a fighting run-a-ball 31, including three boundaries, and briefly revived hopes alongside captain Euless Chiralile. The duo added 19 runs for the fifth wicket after Maziya’s dismissal. However, wickets continued to fall regularly. Chiralile scored 6 before being run out, Christina Bwanali was dismissed for a duck, Vanessa Phiri managed just 1 run, and Lucy Wesley added only 2.
Dimba’s dismissal at 74/9 in the 19th over effectively ended the contest. Alinafe Kawirawira remained unbeaten on 4, while Lucy Malino finished not out on 1 as Malawi closed on 82/9 from 20 overs, falling 42 runs short of the target.
Brazil’s bowling attack was outstanding throughout the chase. Player of the Match Maria Ribeiro led from the front with exceptional figures of 2/9 from four overs, including two maiden overs. Lara Moisés matched her impact with 2/9 (4), while Nicole Monteiro claimed 1/19. Lindsay Boas also chipped in with 1/18, and the disciplined spell from Marianne Artur, who conceded only 18 runs in four overs, kept the pressure firmly on Malawi’s batters. Brazil were also sharp in the field, contributing two crucial runouts that further dented Malawi’s chase.
Loves all things female cricket