Kalahari Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 commenced on 6th April and will conclude on 11th April 2026. Lesotho, led by the skipper Maneo Nyabela, were up against Malawi, led by the skipper Euless Chiralile, in the 2nd match of the series at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone.
The Carolina Nascimento-led Brazil thrashed Botswana, led by skipper Tuelo Shadrack, by 83 runs in the tournament opener at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone.
Malawi skipper Euless Chiralile won the toss and opted to field first. The Lesotho batters struggled to get to terms with the conditions on offer courtesy of exceptional bowling display from the likes of Praise Maziya (4-1-12-3), Lucy Malino (4-1-8-2), Sugeni Kananji (2-0-3-1), Sophina Chinawa (2-0-7-1), and Elizabeth Mapisa (2-0-14-1) wrapped up the Lesotho innings to 46 with 5 overs to spare. None of the Lesotho batters managed to enter the double digits, with Boitumelo Phelenyane (8 off 13 balls) top-scoring with the bat for her side.
The 19-run 5th wicket partnership between Boitumelo Phelenyane and the wicket-keeper batter Paballo Pheko (6 off 20 balls) was the highest partnership of the innings for Lesotho. There were a total of 15 extras bowled by the Malawian bowlers.
Chasing a target of 47, the Malawian openers Sophina Chinawa (11 off 14 balls) and wicket-keeper batter and skipper Euless Chiralile (20* off 14 balls) almost saw them over the line with a whirlwind 42-run opening stand. The pair were going at a blistering rate of around 10 runs an over. The Malawian skipper smashed four boundaries. Skipper Maneo Nyabela salvaged some pride by dismissing Sophina Chinawa in the 5th over of the run chase, providing the first and only breakthrough for her side.
Sugeni Kananji (4* off 3 balls) walked out at the crease and finished things off in style with a boundary to seal the game with 9 wickets in hand and 15 overs to spare. The Lesotho bowlers lacked discipline defending a small total as they leaked as many as 12 extras. As a result, they were unable to build pressure on the Malawian batters in the chase.
The Malawian skipper led from the front, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 142.85, showing clear intent right from the word go, sending a strong message across all the teams in the tournament. Lesotho skipper Maneo Nyabela (1-0-9-1) was the only wicket-taker with the ball for her side, while Boitumelo Tlali (2-0-16-0) played her part with the ball.
Praise Maziya was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-defining spell (4-1-12-3) with the ball for her side, laying the platform for a dominant show from the Malawian batting department to flex their muscles in the run chase.
Loves all things female cricket