In a gripping contest at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, the clash between Nigeria Women’s Cricket Team and Rwanda Women’s Cricket Team in the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20 delivered a well-paced game shaped by disciplined bowling and a composed chase.
After opting to bat first, Nigeria Women had a shaky start as their captain Lucky Piety was trapped lbw for 0 in just the third ball of the innings, handing Belise Murekatete an early breakthrough at 1/5 in 0.3 overs. Omosigho Eguakun tried to counterattack with a brisk 5 off 5 balls, but Murekatete struck again to leave Nigeria at 13/2 in 2.3 overs. The early pressure was maintained when Salome Sunday (4 off 7) fell at 18/3, caught off Henriette Ishimwe, exposing the fragile middle order.
Muhibat Amusa attempted to stabilize the innings with a patient 11 off 23 balls, stitching a brief partnership with Christabel Chukwuonye (9 off 7). However, Rwanda’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Marie Bimenyimana removed Adeshola Adekunle (2 off 7), while Alice Ikuzwe chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, ensuring Nigeria slipped to 35/5 by the 7.3-over mark. The innings struggled to build momentum as wickets kept tumbling.
The only notable resistance came from Esther Sandy, who held the innings together with a steady unbeaten 34 off 31 balls. She found little support from the lower order, with Sarah Etim (2), Usen Peace (2), and Lillian Udeh (2) all failing to convert their starts. A late cameo from Annointed Akhigbe (5 off 15) pushed the total slightly, but Nigeria eventually managed 90 in 19.1 overs. Extras contributed significantly with 14 runs. Rwanda’s bowling unit was impressive as a collective, Belise Murekatete (2/24) set the tone early, Rosine Irera (2/11) was economical and incisive, while Marie Bimenyimana (2/13) and Alice Ikuzwe (2/17) ensured there was no recovery. Henriette Ishimwe also chipped in with 1 wicket.
Chasing a modest target of 91, Rwanda Women had an early hiccup when Gisele Ishimwe was dismissed for 2, followed immediately by captain Marie Bimenyimana for a duck, leaving them reeling at 7/2. Fanny Uwagushimaninde contributed a cautious 15 off 18 balls, but her dismissal at 25/3 gave Nigeria a glimmer of hope. Clarisse Uwase (17 off 26) and Merveille Uwase (13* off 23) then stitched a crucial partnership, rebuilding the innings with patience rather than aggression.
The turning point came when Henriette Ishimwe took control of the chase with a fluent unbeaten 32 off just 18 balls, striking 7 boundaries at a brilliant strike rate of 177.77. Her partnership with Merveille Uwase ensured there were no further hiccups as Rwanda comfortably reached 93/4 in 15.4 overs, sealing the victory with 6 wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare.
Nigeria’s bowlers showed moments of discipline, with Lillian Udeh standing out (2/8 in 4 overs), delivering an exceptional spell that kept the game alive early on. Usen Peace (1/19) and Muhibat Amusa (1/23) also picked up wickets, but the lack of scoreboard pressure made it difficult to defend the total.
Overall, this Nigeria Women vs Rwanda Women match highlighted Rwanda’s superior bowling depth and composed batting under pressure. With strong contributions across departments, Rwanda Women secured a well-deserved win, continuing their impressive run in the tournament.
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