Day two of the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament waits for teams to ignite and flourish on the big stage, as Rwanda faces Kenya in match number five of the 2nd edition at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre, Rwanda. The match is scheduled to start proceedings at 12:45 PM (IST) Indian Standard Time.
The opposition will look to stay in the driver’s seat and steer their team to a position from where no wrong can be done with planning, precision, and execution.
Squads:
Rwanda – Marie Bimenyimana (c), Sifa Ingabire, Alice Ikuzwe, Rosine Irera, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Belise Murekatete, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Clarisse Uwase, Geovanis Uwase (wk), Merveille Uwase (wk), Sarah Uwera (wk), Margueritte Vumiliya.
Kenya – Esther Wachira (C), Melvin Khagoitsa (VC), Queentor Abel, Judith Ajiambo, Lavendah Idambo, Marion Juma, Charity Muthoni (WK), Mary Mwangi, Lynz Nabwire, Monicah Ndhambi, Flavia Odhiambo, Kelvia Ogola, Venasa Ooko, Ann Wanjira.
Players to watch out:
Gisele Ishimwe
18-year-old prodigy, Gisele has a ton of experience. Having turned the game with both bat and ball for her side, she’ll be a key player going into the contest. The right-hander has scored over 800 runs on the international stage, including a comprehensive 114*. Gisele has gotten good starts in recent times but failed to make it big, going into their third game, she’ll look to carry on with greater intensity.
Josiane Nyirankundineza
23-year-old Josaine has 30 wickets on the international circuit with an economy of 4.99 and averaging around 18. Early in April, she scalped (3/19) against Nigeria in Lagos which steered her side to victory. The right-arm pacer will look to be amongst the wickets in the coming encounter apart from having an exceptional economy.
Mary Mwangi
Multi-dimensional Mary is a player of diverse capabilities, who bowls, bats, and even keeps wickets when required. Her best bowling figures of (3/15) and a strike rate of 22.9 while bowling is just a beginning statement of how valuable a piece of an asset she is. Late in 2022, in the Kenya Quadrangular Women’s T20I her all round heroics led the team to reach the final hurdle where they fell short.
Queentor Abel
Abel is an experienced campaigner for this Kenya squad. With runs in excess of 500 and 35 wickets on the international stage, she possesses a threat to any opposition. Her best figures stand at 5/18 with an average of just 13.65. And the batting index is getting better by the match with her best score at 51. In the 2022 Kenya Quadrangular Tournament she got off to good starts, which she’ll look to convert this time around.
Pitch:
In recent times the stadium has undergone great changes to accommodate modern facilities. The 22 yards remain dry and will offer turn to the spinners with occasional low bounce and this being the second day of play, uneven bounce is most likely.
Weather:
Comfortable playing conditions are forecasted ahead of the game, with temperatures hovering around mid-20 degrees and minimal chance of precipitation.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Mary Mwangi, Venasa Ooko, Gisele Ishimwe, Monica Ndhambi, Henriette Ishimwe, Queentor Abel, Belyse Murekatete, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Lavendah Idambo, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Flavia Odhiambo
Match Details:
Date – June 11th, 2023
Time – 12:45 PM IST
Venue – The Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre, Rwanda
Broadcast – Access live scores for all the games in the series on the FanCode app and website.