In the 7th Place Play-off of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier at the NTS, TCA Cricket Arena in Dar-es-Salaam, Namibia Under-19 produced a clinical bowling display to crush Malawi Under-19 by 9 wickets. Outstanding bowling figures and sharp fielding proved to be the cornerstone of Namibia’s dominant campaign finish, dismantling Malawi’s top and middle order in a thoroughly one-sided encounter.
Taking first strike under overcast conditions, Malawi U19 struggled to establish momentum from the outset. Openers Angela Lumbe and Caroline Chitsanzo managed a modest opening partnership, but the breakthrough arrived in the second over when Mea Meyer made the first strike. Lumbe, after scoring 5 off 11 balls (including 1 boundary), was caught and bowled by Meyer at 5/1 in 1.5 overs. Caroline Chitsanzo anchored one end briefly, making 4 off 16 deliveries, but could not build a substantial partnership as Namibia’s bowlers relentlessly tightened the screws.
Enter player of the match Lelly Khumus, who turned the game completely on its head with a sensational spell of spin bowling. Khumus dismantled the top order in rapid fashion, clean-bowling Sphiwe Frank (0 off 11) at 12/2 in 5.1 overs and knocking back Princess Chidatha’s stumps (0 off 3) just three balls later at 12/3 in 5.4 overs. Rachel Zamapemba provided a brief spark with a quickfire 5 off 4 balls (1 four) before being trapped LBW by Monique Muller at 17/4 in 6.3 overs. Khumus then returned to dismiss Chitsanzo, caught by Eviste Iiyambo at 21/5 in 8 overs, completing a brilliant initial spell.
The middle and lower-order collapse accelerated rapidly under disciplined pressure. Monique Muller claimed her second victim by trapping Malawi skipper Favour Piliyesi LBW for a golden duck at 23/6 in 8.3 overs. Shavoni Akileni mounted a lonely rearguard battle, top-scoring with 8 off 15 balls (1 four), but wickets continued to tumble around her. Christina Kabambe (4 off 6) was caught short by a sharp run-out executed by Unombuiro Kaanjosa and Elly Kambonde at 29/7 in 10 overs. Khumus then re-entered the attack to castrate the tail, bowling Milcah Savala (3 off 5) at 34/8 in 11.2 overs and having Regina Wilfred (0 off 1) caught by Elly Kambonde just a ball later at 34/9. The innings finally concluded at 38 all out in 12.2 overs when Akileni was run out by Eviste Iiyambo and Elly Kambonde.
Namibia’s bowling card reflected complete tactical mastery. Lelly Khumus stole the show with magical figures of 5 for 9 in 4 overs (including 1 maiden) at an economy of 2.25. Monique Muller provided stellar support with 2 for 16 in 3 overs, while Mea Meyer took 1 for 7 in 2 overs. Eviste Iiyambo was exceptionally economical, giving away just 5 runs in her 3 overs (1.66 economy), and Veronika Tobias conceded a single run in her 0.2 overs. Remaining unbeaten at the end for Malawi was Bridget Kasinja, who scored 4 off 3 balls.
Chasing a modest target, Namibia Under-19 knocked off the required runs in just 5.1 overs, finishing at 39/1 to wrap up an emphatic 9-wicket triumph and seal 7th place in the tournament standings.
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