On a bright afternoon at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok, the Scotland Women’s cricket team took to the field against Tanzania women in match 8 of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, looking to set a challenging total.
Their approach was cautious but purposeful from the start. Ailsa Lister and Darcey Carter opened the innings, establishing a foundation that would prove crucial as they progressed. Lister added a brisk 14 runs off 11 balls, striking three boundaries before an unfortunate run out saw her depart early. Carter, however, showcased a blend of maturity and explosiveness, ending her innings unbeaten on 76 off 62 balls.
As Lister left the crease, Carter found a solid partner in Ellen Watson, and together they forged a valuable fifty-plus stand that kept Scotland moving forward. Watson contributed a steady 23 runs off 31 balls, grounding the innings while Carter looked to accelerate when the opportunity arose. Midway through their innings, Scotland maintained their momentum, and Carter took control.
Priyanaz Chatterji later joined in with an aggressive approach, scoring 19 runs off just 11 balls, including two impressive boundaries and a six, pushing the team’s total as they finished strongly. In the closing moments, Rachel Slater made a brief but impactful appearance, hitting a boundary in her 7 not out off 3 balls, ultimately helping Scotland post a total of 153 for 5 in their 20 overs. Extras played a modest yet helpful role, contributing 9 runs, including seven wides.
On Tanzania’s bowling front, Perice Kamunya shone bright, finishing with figures of 4 overs for 33 runs and taking two significant wickets, including the dismissals of Sarah Bryce and Megan McColl. Mwanamvua Hamisi Ushanga also made her mark, restricting runs and claiming the wicket of Watson for just 20 runs in her four overs. Meanwhile, Jenifer Kimaro provided a needed breakthrough, and although bowlers like Sheila Kizito, Nasra Saidi, and Neema Pius didn’t take any wickets, they applied pressure throughout Scotland’s innings.
Chasing a target of 154, Tanzania began their response with optimism. Saum Godfrey Mtae and Fatuma Kibasu opened the innings confidently: Mtae scored 27 off 23 balls with five boundaries, while Kibasu matched her steady pace, scoring 28 off 28 with five fours of her own. This opening partnership provided much-needed stability to the chase, but fortunes shifted when Neema Pius, the Tanzanian captain, fell for a duck, bowled by Carter, momentarily halting their momentum.
In the middle overs, Hudaa Mrisho Omary emerged as the anchor of the chase, steadying the ship with a thoughtful 38 not out off 34 deliveries, finding five boundaries along the way. Alongside her, Jenifer Kimaro played a brisk knock, scoring 23 off 16 balls before being run out in a tight situation. However, late in the innings, Tanzania experienced a wobble: Nasra Hamza Mohamedi and Nasra Saidi fell quickly, while Perice Kamunya managed just 1 run before Rachel Slater sent her back to the pavilion.
Shufaa Mohamedi managed only 3 off 4 balls, while Mwanamvua Hamisi Ushanga, despite not staying not out with a quick 9 off 4, could provide the required finish. Extras once again proved crucial, with Tanzania conceding 14 runs in extras, including 10 wides, which would ultimately be costly in such a tight finish.
Scotland’s bowlers rose to the occasion under pressure. Darcey Carter delivered an outstanding all-round performance, capturing 3 wickets for just 23 runs in her four overs, including a vital maiden over. Rachel Slater contributed significantly with a key wicket (Kamunya) for only 20 runs in her spell, while Chloe Abel added to the mix with a wicket of her own, finishing with figures of 1 for 32.
Niamh Robertson-Jack bowled tightly in the death overs, claiming the crucial wicket of Kibasu while conceding just 13 runs in her two-over spell. Abtaha Maqsood bowled her three overs under control, giving away 23 runs, maintaining pressure in the closing stages. In the end, Tanzania fell short by just 5 runs, finishing their innings at 148 for 8.
Darcey Carter earned the Player of the Match for her match-winning 76* (62) with the bat and her tight spell of three wickets, underscoring her pivotal role in Scotland’s success. Scotland will take confidence from their composed performance under pressure, while Tanzania can hold their heads high, having fought valiantly despite missed opportunities.
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