Sierra Leone’s bowlers outclassed Rwanda at the Gymkhana Ground in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, clinching a convincing victory.
Electing to field first, George Sessay (4-15) and James Bangura (2-25) wreaked havoc in the Powerplay, dismantling Rwanda’s batting order.
Despite a valiant partnership between Emmanuel Manishimwe and Jean Claude Imanishimwe, Rwanda were restricted to a meager 51 runs in 19 overs. Sierra Leone chased down the target effortlessly, reaching 52/3 in just 12.1 overs.
Raymond Coker’s quickfire 20 off 16 balls steered them home. Player of the Match, George Sessay, credited their success to their strategy of exploiting the moisture on the pitch.
Botswana Thumps Malawi Thanks to Aryan Abin Pattamana’s Fifer
At the UDSM Ground, Botswana posted a competitive 149 runs on the board. A. Harith’s patient knock of 32 runs laid the foundation, while Bernard Moloi and Monroux Kasselman provided valuable contributions.
Notably, extras turned out to be the highest scorer with 43 runs. Malawi’s promising start (80/2 at 18.5 overs) was abruptly halted by Aryan Abin Pattamana’s sensational spell. Pattamana ripped through the batting order, grabbing a remarkable 4 wickets in 5 balls, triggering a catastrophic collapse.
He finished with a match-winning bowling performance of 5/7 in just 3.5 overs, rightfully earning the Player of the Match award. Malawi were eventually bowled out for 88 runs in 23.5 overs, handing Botswana a convincing 61-run victory.
“Aryan’s bowling spell was the turning point of the match for us today. It’s always a joy to witness such impactful performances at critical moments,” remarked Botswana captain Jack Daniels.
Reflecting on his performance, Player of the Match Aryan Abin Pattamana said, “I’m delighted to have played a key role in securing the win for the team. Our strategy was to bowl tight lines and build pressure, and it proved to be very effective.”
Match Scores:
- Sierra Leone vs Rwanda:
- Rwanda – 51/10 (19.0 overs)
- Sierra Leone – 52/3 (12.1 overs)
- Sierra Leone won by 7 wickets
- Botswana vs Malawi:
- Botswana – 149/10 (47.5 overs)
- Malawi – 88/10 (23.5 overs)
- Botswana won by 61 runs
Upcoming Fixtures (Sunday, August 4th, 2024):
- Mozambique vs Nigeria – Dar Gymkhana Ground
- Tanzania vs Ghana – UDSM Ground
Courtesy Photos
