Easy wins for UAE, Kenya and Uganda on opening day
dubai — Host UAE, Kenya and Uganda all registered convincing victories on the opening day of the inaugural International Women’s T20 Cup organised by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
UAE scored an easy six-wicket victory over Malaysia played at the Eden Garden Ajman. Batting first, Malaysia could manage only 81 for eight in 20 overs with Sasha Azmi top scoring with an unbeaten 30 from 29 balls while Dewi Idora gave her company with 28 not out from 51 deliveries.
For the UAE Samiya Salim claimed two wickets.
Chasing, UAE achieved the target in just 14.1 overs losing only four wickets. Nisha Ali was the star scoring a 25-ball 23 not out including a boundary and a six while Natasha Michael hit 19 and Roopa Nagaraj chipped in with a crucial 15.
In another match, Kenya put on a fine performance to defeat Qatar by a huge 72 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Batting first, Kenya were led by superb batting performances from Mary Wambui (30, 35b), Queentor Aako (27), Sharon Suma (24 not out) and Margaret Sanja (31 not out) as they scored 133 for three in the allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a stiff target, only Qatar opener Aysha Mohammad (27) Malaysia 81 for 8 in 20 overs (Dewi Idora 28 not out, Sasha Azmi 30 not out; Samiya Salim 2/8) UAE 82 for 4 in 14.1 overs (Natasha Michael 19, Roopa Nagaraj 15, Nisha Ali 23 not out). Woman of the match: Samiya Salim.
Kenya 133 for 3 in 20 overs (Mary Wambui 30, Queentor Aako 27, Sharon Suma 24 not out, Margaret Sanja 31 not out) Qatar 61 all out in 18.3 overs (Aysha Mohammad 27; Mary Wambui 3/8, Sarah Bharita 3/10). Woman of the match: Mary Wambui. Uganda 126 for 7 in 20 overs (Barbara Mukankusi 23, Franklyn Najjumba 35 not out, Carol Namugenyl 23 not out; Saya Chamna 2/20, Shajina Rajesh 2/38, Akshadha Gunasekar 2/21) Oman 39 all out (Carol Namugenyi 4/3, Aweko Consy 2/2, Leliia Namaganda 2/7). Woman of the match: Carol Namugenyi. reached the double digit as they collapsed to a meager 61 in 18.5 overs. Mary Wambui and Sarah Bharita were the star bowlers claiming three wickets each.
In the final match of the day at the Sharjah Cricket stadium, Uganda overhauled Oman by 87 runs. Oman needed a tricky 127 to win the target and the batting failed badly as they were shot out for a paltry 39in 19.5 overs with none of the batswomen reaching the double figure.
Carol Namugenyi was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets while Aweko Consy and Lelia Namaganda bagged two each.
Earlier batting first, Uganda were led by a strong show from the lower order batswomen with Franklyn Najjumba (35 not out) and Carol Namugenyi (23 not out) sharing a brilliant unbeaten 65-run partnership for the eighth wicket as Uganda scored 126 for seven in 20 overs.
Opener Barabara Mukankusi scored 23 early in the innings.
Brief scores