Bowlers shine before Rinitha Rajith and wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish power UAE to a thrashing 7-wicket win against Namibia in the tri-series opener.
The Namibian women’s team led by skipper Sune Wittmann were all set to host the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe for a 9-match T20I tri-series at the Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek. The series commenced on 6th September 2024 and will conclude on 14th September 2024.
The hosts, Namibia led by skipper Sune Wittmann were up against the United Arab Emirates led by skipper Esha Oza in the tri-series opener. The United Arab Emirates skipper Esha Oza won the toss and opted to field first in the 1st match of the series at the Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek.
After being inserted to bat first, the Namibian openers Yasmeen Khan and skipper Sune Wittmann got their side off to a promising start with a 25-run opening partnership. The duo scored at over six runs an over. Heena Hotchandani picked up the wicket of Yasmeen Khan (10) to provide the first breakthrough for the United Arab Emirates.
Edelle van Zyl soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the United Arab Emirates. Wilka Mwatile joined skipper Sune Wittmann at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 17-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side close to the 50-run mark. Indhuja Nandakumar picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Sune Wittmann (24) to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side.
Jurriene Diergaardt joined Wilka Mwatile at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 14-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Vaishnave Mahesh picked up the wicket of Wilka Mwatile to provide the 4th breakthrough for UAE. Jurriene Diergaardt soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 5th breakthrough for UAE.
Sylvia Shihepo joined wicket-keeper batter Merczerly Gorases at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 31-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark. Namibia eventually ended up with a total of 102/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Skipper Sune Wittmann (24 off 32 balls), Sylvia Shihepo (19* off 18 balls), Jurriene Diergaardt (11 off 12 balls), wicket-keeper batter Merczerly Gorases (11 off 16 balls), and Yasmeen Khan (10 off 8 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Namibia.
Indhuja Nandakumar (4-0-10-2), Heena Hotchandani (4-0-19-1), Vaishnave Mahesh (3-0-13-1), Kavisha Egodage (4-0-21-1), and Archara Supriya (2-0-13-1) were the top performers with the ball for the United Arab Emirates.
Chasing a target of 103, the United Arab Emirates openers wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish and skipper Esha Oza got their side off to a brisk start with an 18-run opening partnership. Saima Tuhadeleni cleaned up the opposition skipper Esha Oza to provide a massive first breakthrough for Namibia.
Rinitha Rajith joined wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial, quick-fire 52-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to take their side in the driver’s seat in the run chase. Mekelaye Mwatile picked up the wicket of Rinitha Rajith to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side, with 70 on the board. She departed after a power-packed cameo (27 off 11 balls).
Kavisha Egodage joined wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish at the crease and the duo stitched a 15-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side on the doorstep of victory. Mekelaye Mwatile picked up the wicket of Kavisha Egodage to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Namibia.
Heena Hotchandani joined wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with an unbeaten 18-run 4th wicket partnership. The United Arab Emirates got over the line with seven wickets in hand and 50 balls to spare to seal the first game of the tri-series. Wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish (45* off 35 balls), Rinitha Rajith (27 off 11 balls), skipper Esha Oza (11 off 10 balls), and Heena Hotchandani (10* off 9 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the United Arab Emirates.
Mekelaye Mwatile (3.4-0-19-2), Saima Tuhadeleni (3-0-23-1), and Jurriene Diergaardt (1-0-9-0) were the top performers with the ball for Namibia.