In a gripping third game of the KENYA – RWANDA BILATERAL SERIES 2024, Rwanda secured their second consecutive win, defeating Kenya by 7 wickets. The match, held on September 11, 2024, at the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi, showcased Rwanda’s growing dominance in the series, as they successfully chased down Kenya’s total of 107 with 9 balls to spare.
Match Summary
Kenya won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 107/9 in their 20 overs. Despite Kenya’s early efforts, Rwanda’s consistent batting performance, led by captain Marie Diane Bimenyimana and opener Uwase Merveille, guided them to a comfortable victory, with Rwanda reaching 108/3 in 18.3 overs.
Kenya’s Innings: Top Performances
Kenya’s batting saw some resistance but was largely kept in check by Rwanda’s disciplined bowling attack. Queentor Abel was the standout performer for Kenya, scoring 27 runs off 25 balls, with a strike rate of 108.00. Her quick scoring helped Kenya reach a somewhat competitive total, but the team struggled to build partnerships throughout their innings.
Flavia Atieno and Esther Wachira also contributed, but their efforts were not enough to lift Kenya to a more threatening score. Rwanda’s bowling, led by Belise Murekatete, played a key role in restricting Kenya’s total. Murekatete took 3 wickets for 19 runs in her 3 overs, maintaining an excellent economy of 6.33. She was well-supported by Irera Rosine, who claimed 2 wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs
Rwanda’s Chase: Clinical and Steady
Rwanda’s chase was anchored by captain Bimenyimana Marie Diane, who played a composed knock of 38 runs off 42 balls at a strike rate of 90.48. Her ability to hold the innings together was crucial in navigating the tricky Kenyan bowling attack. Uwase Merveille provided excellent support, scoring 33 off 47 balls, with 4 boundaries. The opening partnership of 52 runs between Bimenyimana and Uwase laid a solid foundation for the chase Kenya’s bowlers tried to stem the flow of runs, with Esther Wachira being the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 20 runs in her 4 overs, at an impressive economy of 5.00. Despite her efforts, Rwanda’s batters remained focused and chased down the target with relative ease.
Key Moments
The partnership between Bimenyimana and Uwase was the defining moment of the match. Their ability to negotiate Kenya’s bowling, while keeping the scoreboard ticking, ensured Rwanda’s chase remained on track. Kenya, on the other hand, struggled to maintain pressure and allowed Rwanda to comfortably reach 108/3 in 18.3 overs.
Rwanda’s 7-wicket win
in Game 3 of the KENYA – RWANDA BILATERAL SERIES 2024 takes them one step closer to winning the series. With strong performances from both their batters and bowlers, Rwanda has now taken a 2-1 lead in the series, leaving Kenya with the challenge of fighting back in the remaining games.
As the series progresses, both teams will continue to showcase their talent and resilience, making for a thrilling competition between these two East African cricketing nations. Rwanda’s momentum gives them a clear advantage, but Kenya will be eager to level the series in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more exciting cricket action.
