The third-place playoff of the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 was a low-scoring thriller that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
Mozambique, after choosing to bat first, struggled to find any momentum and posted a modest 91/8 in their allotted 20 overs. While it seemed like an easy target, Malawi’s chase turned into a chaotic collapse that nearly cost them the game. They ultimately scraped through to reach 92/9 in 18 overs, securing a narrow one-wicket victory and the bronze finish in a game dominated by the bowlers.
Mozambique’s innings never really got out of first gear. Their top order found it difficult to pierce the gaps as Malawi’s bowlers maintained a disciplined line. Throughout the 20 overs, Mozambique relied on small contributions rather than big partnerships. They managed to navigate their full quota of overs but losing eight wickets meant they couldn’t accelerate at the death, finishing on 91/8. The Malawi bowling unit was relentless, making sure that every run scored by Mozambique was hard-earned.
Captain Cristina Magaia was the only positive for Mozambique with her unbeaten 28 off 28 balls, helping the team to a fighting total and the only other batter to enter double digit scores was Wisley Bacuane (17 off 26). For Malawi, Sugeni Kananji was the standout with a stellar 3/7 off her 4 overs. Sophia Chinawa (2/6 off 2) and Lucy Malino (1/6 off 4) were equally effective and economical.
When Malawi came out to chase a target of 92, things looked comfortable early on. However, the Mozambique bowling attack had other plans and began striking at regular intervals. Palmira Cuinica was the standout performer with the ball for Mozambique, ripping through the middle order to finish with impressive figures of 3/24 in her four overs. She was well supported by Olga Mondlane and Angelica Salomao, who took two wickets each, leaving the Malawi dugout looking increasingly nervous as the wickets tumbled.
Malawi’s saving grace was Praise Maziya, who played a gritty, match-winning knock. While her teammates were heading back to the pavilion in quick succession—at one point sliding to 69/8—Maziya remained the calmest person at the crease. She stayed unbeaten on 29 off 49 balls, hitting only one boundary but rotating the strike effectively. Her patience was the anchor that allowed Malawi to stay in the hunt even when a victory seemed to be slipping away.
The tension reached a fever pitch in the 18th over. Malawi needed just a handful of runs but had only one wicket remaining. Lucy Malino had just been bowled by Salomao for 8, leaving Bridget Kasinja to join Maziya for the final stand. The Mozambique bowlers, sensing a dramatic comeback, bowled with intensity, but Maziya managed to navigate the pressure and guided her team past the finish line with just two overs to spare.
Ultimately, Malawi walked away with a one-wicket win, a result that felt like a great escape given the scorecard. Despite the loss, Mozambique’s bowlers earned plenty of respect for defending such a low total with immense heart. For Malawi, Sugeni Kananji was named the Player of the Match for her all-round contribution, but it was Maziya’s resilience that truly defined the result.
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