In the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 match between Malawi Women and Nigeria Women, Malawi Women won the toss and elected to bat first. Nigeria Women bowled out Malawi Women for a meager 48 runs in 15 overs. Despite a minor mid-innings collapse against Malawi’s persistent bowling, Nigeria successfully chased down the target to win by 5 wickets with 66 balls to spare.
Malawi Women’s team was bowled out for a total of 48 runs in 15 overs. S. Kananji was the standout performer for the team, scoring a fighting 26 runs off 26 balls including 5 fours, while wicketkeeper A. Lumbe contributed a patient 12 runs off 33 balls with 2 boundaries. Aside from minor contributions of 2 runs each from skipper P. Maziya and E. Chiralile, the rest of the batting lineup struggled heavily, with L. Dimba, S. Chinawa, V. Phiri, L. Wesley, L. Malino, and B. Kasinja all departing for ducks, while A. Kawirawira remained unbeaten on 0 off 5 balls. The innings included 6 extras.
Malawi’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically. This destruction was spearheaded by a clinical Nigerian bowling attack. Captain F. Eseigbe led from the front with an exceptional spell, picking up 4 wickets for just 4 runs across 3 overs, including 2 maidens. Equally devastating was L. Udeh, who tore through the lower order to claim 4 wickets for a mere 2 runs in her 2 overs. Supporting them, O. Omonkhobio delivered a tight opening spell of 4 overs, leaking just 12 runs for 1 wicket, while H. Mbam chipped in with 1 wicket for 13 runs in her 2 overs. A. Adekunle also kept things relatively quiet during her 4 overs, conceding 15 runs without a wicket, ensuring Malawi was given zero breathing room.
Nigeria Women successfully chased down Malawi’s low total to win the match by 5 wickets with 66 balls left, finishing at 49/5 in 9 overs. C. Chukwuonye anchored the chase with a top score of 20 runs off 25 balls, hitting 3 boundaries before being caught by Sungeni Kananji off Lidia Dimba. A. Adekunle provided crucial support with 12 runs off 18 balls, which included a single boundary, until she fell to Praise Maziya. The rest of the top and middle order struggled, as E. Sandy and S. Sunday managed just 1 run each, while O. P. Eguakun departed for a 2-ball duck—with Vanessa Phiri claiming two of those early breakthroughs and Lucy Malino picking up another. Ultimately, O. Omonkhobio scored 2* off 2 balls and wicketkeeper S. Etim scored 3* off 3 balls and saw Nigeria over the finish line, aided by 10 extras.
Nigeria Women experienced a couple of minor stumbles during their chase, losing their third wicket at 14 runs in 2.1 overs when S. Sunday fell, before a solid partnership was broken with the fall of C. Chukwuonye at 44/4 in 7.5 overs, followed quickly by A. Adekunle at 44/5 in 8.2 overs. Defending their low total, Malawi’s bowlers put up a persistent fight, led by V. Phiri who was the pick of the attack, claiming 2 wickets for 22 runs in her 3 overs. L. Malino delivered a full 4-over spell, taking 1 wicket while conceding 19 runs. Additionally, L. Dimba bowled a single tight over, giving away just 3 runs for 1 wicket, while captain P. Maziya also chipped in with 1 wicket for 5 runs from her lone over.
Nigeria excelled by maintaining intense pressure with a disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by lethal four-wicket spells from F. Eseigbe and L. Udeh that completely stifled the opposition. What went wrong for Malawi was a catastrophic batting collapse, where they failed to establish stable partnerships and lost their final five wickets for just 3 runs, leading to a meager total of 48.
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