U19 Women’s T20 Qualifier: Zimbabwe crush Uganda to secure a place in the final

Zimbabwe: 138/7 in 20 overs (Lorraine Pemhiwa: 35*, Beloved Biza: 30; Irene Mutonyi: 2-6, Asumin Akurut: 2/24)

Uganda: 63 in 19.2 overs (Immaculate Nandera: 24, Kudzai Kelly Chigora: 2-8, Beloved Biza 2/13

Zimbabwe won by 75 runs.

Zimbabwe Under-19 Women’s are through to the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers final after securing a 75-run victory over Uganda at the Gahanga 2 Oval, Kigali, Rwanda.

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 138/7 in their 20 overs, led by a crucial unbeaten 35 from Lorraine Pemhiwa and 30 from Beloved Biza.

Despite losing early wickets, with captain Kelis Ndhlovu falling for 19, Zimbabwe managed to recover thanks to Pemhiwa’s composed innings and support from Runyararo Pasipanody (25 off 20).

Uganda’s bowlers had their moments. Irene Mutonyi (2/6) and Asumin Akurut (2/24) stood out, but Zimbabwe staged a late acceleration proved decisive.

In reply, Uganda struggled from the get-go, losing captain Jimia Abdallah Muhamed in the very first over. The Zimbabwe bowlers shared the spoils, straining the Uganda innings.

Kudzai Chigora (2/8), Beloved Biza (2/13), and Olinder Chare (2/6) all took key wickets. Immaculate Nandera’s 24 was the only notable score as Uganda were bowled out for 63 in 19.2 overs, sealing Zimbabwe’s place in the final.

They now face Nigeria in the final on Sunday afternoon. The winner picks up the sole ticket to the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.