The ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2026 produced a captivating low-scoring contest at the Estim, TCA Cricket Arena in Dar-es-Salaam as Rwanda Under-19 registered a 5-wicket victory over Kenya Under-19.
Opting to bat first, Kenya Under-19 found themselves in immediate trouble when opener Nezarine Oluoch (4 runs off 5 balls) was dismissed by Lina Ikuzwe with the total at 5/1 in the third over. Fellow opener Zainab Hamisi managed just 1 off 12 balls before Justine Ingabire struck, leaving Kenya wobbling at 15/2. A brief 7-run partnership followed between skipper Melvin Khagoitsa and wicketkeeper Nancy Wafula, but Chanceline Umutoni disrupted the rebuilding process by bowling Wafula (2 off 10 balls) to leave Kenya at 22/3.
Kenya’s top-order collapsed further as Umutoni bowled Condolisa Atieno (9 runs off 11 balls) and Ingabire sent back Janet Nthenya for a 3-ball duck, leaving the score at 33/5. With Joy Juma departing without scoring on the very next ball after being trapped by Grace Mugwaneza at 33/6, captain Melvin Khagoitsa stood alone amidst the ruins. Khagoitsa waged a brave battle, compiling a gritty 28 off 42 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, and forming a crucial 19-run stand with Marion Jacinta (10 off 29 balls).
However, Khagoitsa’s run out by Sonia Umuringa and Lina Ikuzwe broke Kenya’s resistance at 52/7. Jacinta was later caught off Mugwaneza at 63/8, while Roshele Atamba played a quick cameo of 6 off 5 balls before falling to Ikuzwe at 69/9. Stella Rodgers remained unbeaten on 1 off 2 balls as Kenya batted out their allotted 20 overs.
Rwanda’s disciplined bowling attack shared the workloads seamlessly. Player of the Match Lina Ikuzwe led the way with figures of 2/22 in her 4 overs, while captain Grace Mugwaneza (2/10), Justine Ingabire (2/11), and Chanceline Umutoni (2/16) picked up two wickets apiece. Ruth Uwimana maintained exceptional accuracy, turning in a miserly spell of 0/6 in 4 overs including two maidens.
Chasing a modest target, Rwanda Under-19 suffered early tremors of their own during the powerplay. Opener Fanny Utagushimaninde struck a quick boundary for her 4 off 5 balls before falling to Janet Nthenya at 4/1, while Liliane Ufitinema went for a golden duck to Melvin Khagoitsa on the next ball to leave Rwanda at 4/2 in the second over. Deborah Uwase (9 off 13) and Niyorukundo Uwase (8 off 10) restored order with a 19-run partnership, bringing the score to 23/2.
However, double trouble struck in the fifth over as Marion Jacinta dismissed Deborah Uwase caught by Joy Juma at 23/3, and Niyorukundo was caught by Nancy Wafula off Khagoitsa without adding to the score at 23/4. Four runs later, Jacinta cleaned up Agahozo Honnette (4 off 4) to reduce Rwanda to a precarious 27/5.
With the match hanging in the balance, Ruth Uwimana joined Lina Ikuzwe to form an unbroken 43-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Ikuzwe displayed impressive composure, scoring a fluent 19* off 18 balls with three boundaries, while Uwimana supported her admirably with an unbeaten 9* off 9 balls. Together, they comfortably guided Rwanda past the target, reaching 70/5 in just 9.4 overs to seal a memorable 5-wicket triumph.
For Kenya Under-19, bowler Marion Jacinta stood out with 2/8 in 2 overs, supported by captain Melvin Khagoitsa (2/17) and Janet Nthenya (1/13), while Stella Rodgers (0/7) and Zainab Hamisi (0/15) proved costly.
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