Hong Kong Women looked determined to make the most of winning the toss and batting first, but Namibia Women produced another disciplined all-round display to register a five-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare in the Women’s T20 Quadrangular Series in Namibia at Windhoek. The contest featured regular wickets, a resilient unbeaten innings from Maryam Bibi for Hong Kong, and a composed chase led by Wilka Mwatile, whose match-winning knock earned her the Player of the Match award. The result strengthened Namibia Women’s campaign as they comfortably chased down after restricting Hong Kong Women to 113/7 in 20 overs.
Hong Kong Women began cautiously through skipper Natasha Miles and Mariko Hill, with the pair adding 17 runs for the opening wicket before Eveleen Kejarukua struck in the third over. Natasha departed after scoring 10 off 13 balls, including two boundaries, giving Namibia an early breakthrough. The momentum remained with the hosts as Shanzeen Shahzad managed only 1, becoming Mekelaye Mwatile’s first victim with the score on 18/2. Hong Kong found themselves under pressure when Mariko Hill, who had contributed 6 from 12 deliveries, was dismissed after adding only a single run with Shahzad. At 26/3, the visitors desperately needed a rebuilding effort.
That recovery came through Kary Chan and Marina Lamplough, who steadied the innings with a useful 12-run partnership. Kary made 8 off 15 balls, while Lamplough looked positive during her 25 from 29 deliveries, striking three boundaries before Mekelaye Mwatile removed both batters at crucial stages. Lamplough’s dismissal at 89/5 ended a valuable 51-run stand with Maryam Bibi, which proved to be Hong Kong’s most productive partnership of the innings. Maryam anchored the innings superbly from one end, remaining unbeaten on 38 off 38 balls with four boundaries and ensuring Hong Kong had something competitive to defend. Ruchitha Venkatesh added 2, while Joyleen Kaur chipped in with 7 off 6 balls before becoming Mekelaye’s third wicket. Iqra Sahar stayed unbeaten without scoring as Hong Kong closed on 113/7, aided by 16 extras, including nine wides.
Namibia Women’s bowlers shared the responsibility brilliantly throughout the innings. Mekelaye Mwatile was the standout performer, finishing with exceptional figures of 3/10 in four overs, consistently breaking partnerships and keeping the scoring rate under control. Wilka Mwatile complemented her with 1/22 from four overs, while Eveleen Kejarukua struck early and ended with 1/9 in three overs. Victoria Hamunyela claimed 1/13, maintaining pressure through disciplined lines. Saima Tuhadeleni bowled a tidy over, Jurriene Diergaardt conceded 23 runs in four overs, and Naomi Benjamin had an expensive outing but chipped in with an over despite conceding 26 runs.
Needing 114 for victory, Namibia Women suffered an early setback when captain Sune Wittmann and Merczerly Gorases put together 27 runs before Alison Siu removed Gorases for 14 off 17 balls. Wittmann followed soon after for 12 from 11 deliveries, dismissed by Marina Lamplough with the score on 29/2. Hong Kong sensed an opportunity when Mekelaye Mwatile struggled for 3 off 17 balls before falling to Iqra Sahar, leaving Namibia at 39/3. Jurriene Diergaardt contributed 6, but another wicket at 43/4 gave Hong Kong genuine hope of defending the modest target.
The match turned decisively through an excellent partnership between Kayleen Green and Wilka Mwatile. Together they stitched a crucial 56-run fifth-wicket stand, absorbing pressure before gradually taking control of the chase. Green played fluently for 26 off 22 balls, striking three boundaries before Kary Chan finally broke the stand at 99/5. By then, however, Namibia required only a handful of runs. Wilka Mwatile remained calm throughout, finishing unbeaten on 39 from 32 deliveries, including four boundaries, while Sylvia Shihepo supported her with an unbeaten 3, guiding Namibia to 116/5 in 18.2 overs and sealing victory with 10 balls remaining.
Hong Kong Women’s bowlers fought hard despite defending a below-par score. Iqra Sahar impressed with 2/22 in three overs, dismissing Mekelaye Mwatile and Jurriene Diergaardt to keep the contest alive. Marina Lamplough delivered an economical spell of 1/10 in four overs, removing Sune Wittmann, while Kary Chan claimed the important wicket of Kayleen Green to finish with 1/26. Alison Siu also picked up a wicket but conceded 28 runs, whereas Ruchitha Venkatesh, Mahekdeep Kaur, Joyleen Kaur, and Maryam Bibi were unable to make further breakthroughs as Namibia crossed the finish line comfortably.
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