Rwanda has had nothing short of a rollercoaster ride this World Cup and continues to impress everyone with its inspired performances. Their second match in Super Six was no different as they defeated the West Indies team in Group 2, at the North-West University No. 1 Ground at Potchefstroom.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first. They possibly had the worst possible batting effort as they were bundled out for 70. Besides Realeanna Grimmind’s 18 off 21, none of the other batters crossed the double-digit mark in what was an absolutely dismal effort. Zaida James was the first to get dismissed in what was a slow and sluggish start for the West Indies and following her was Naijanni Cumberbatch getting out in the very next over for a three-ball duck.
With Djenaba Joseph and Realeanna Grimmond getting dismissed in the same over by Sylvia Usabyimana for 7 and 18 respectively, the misery was only deepening for West Indies. Trishan Holder getting dismissed for 1 by Zurufat Ishimwe and a double jolt of losing Jannillea Glasgow and Lena Scott in the same over for 9 and 0 meant recovery was almost impossible. Earnisha Fontaine tried to get some runs on the board but as wickets around her kept tumbling, she was the last batter standing for 8*. For Rwanda, Sylvia Usabyimana and Marie Tumukunde starred with the ball scalping 4 wickets each as Zurufat Ishimwe also chipped in with 2 wickets.
What was expected to be an easy run-chase for Rwanda turned out to be quite challenging. Merveille Uwase and Cynthia Tuyizere were not able to give the desired start as the former was out in the 1st over for 10 and losing Henriette Ishimwe for a golden duck were not ideal. Tuyizere was effective as she partnered up with Gisele Ishimwe but her untimely run-out was a setback. A slew of dismissals of Geovanis Uwase, Belyse Murekatete and Marie Tumukunde for scores of 0, 0 and 3 made it a tense run chase. But with Gisele Ishimwe firmly at the crease, Rwanda was still in the game. She was a calming force, and with Rosine Irera, guided Rwanda to a well-deserved win in 18.2 overs.
🇷🇼 Rwanda U19 won by 4 wickets
🌴 West Indies U19: 70 (16.3)
Realeanna Grimmond: 18 (21)
Jannillea Glasgow: 9 (6)
Marie Tumukunde 4-8🇷🇼 Rwanda U19: 71-6 (18.2)
Gisele Ishimwe: 31* (53)
Cynthia Tuyizere: 12 (21)
Ashmini Munisar 1-8#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/CCn7g4RYFJ— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 22, 2023
Brief Scores– WI: 70 all out in 16.3 overs (R Grimmond 18; S Usabyimana 4/20, M Tumukunde 4/8) lost to RWA: 71/6 in 18.2 overs (G Ishimwe 31, C Tuyizere 12; A Munisar 1/8, Z James 1/13) by four wickets and 10 balls remaining
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.