the battle for the fifth position, Tanzania emerged victorious, defeating Namibia by 6 wickets in Game 13 of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. Namibia, opting to bat first after winning the toss, could only manage a modest total of 82 runs in 19.1 overs. Mekelaye Ndaukatekeka Mwatile stood out as Namibia’s lone warrior, scoring 51 runs off 65 balls, but the rest of the batting order collapsed under pressure from Tanzania’s disciplined bowling attack.
The star of the bowling lineup for Tanzania was Agnes Joseph Qwele, who delivered an exceptional spell, taking 4 wickets for just 9 runs in her 4 overs, earning her the Player of the Match award. Her economical and destructive bowling was well supported by Farida Amiry Kinyumbi, who claimed 2 wickets for 5 runs, and Jenipher Gabriel Kimaro, who also took 2 wickets.
Namibia’s innings began to unravel early, as Tanzania’s bowlers constantly applied pressure. Despite Mekelaye’s gritty half-century, the lack of partnerships hurt Namibia’s chances of putting up a competitive total. Tanzania restricted Namibia to 82 all out, with the final wicket falling in the 19th over.
Chasing 83 for victory, Tanzania’s batting was anchored by Jenipher Gabriel Kimaro, who contributed a solid 28 off 26 balls. Though Namibia managed to pick up a few quick wickets, Tanzania kept their composure, reaching the target in 15.3 overs with 6 wickets in hand. Saumu Deo Hussein chipped in with 16 runs, ensuring that Tanzania comfortably sealed the win.
The victory handed Tanzania fifth place in the tournament, while Namibia finished in sixth, wrapping up their campaign in a challenging but spirited contest.
Match Highlights:
- Mekelaye Ndaukatekeka Mwatile (Namibia): 51 runs off 65 balls
- Agnes Joseph Qwele (Tanzania): 4 wickets for 9 runs in 4 overs
- Jenipher Gabriel Kimaro (Tanzania): 28 runs off 26 balls and 2 wickets for 17 runs
Key Moments:
- Tanzania’s tight bowling restricted Namibia to 82 runs, with Agnes Joseph Qwele’s 4-wicket haul leading the charge.
- Namibia’s top scorer Mekelaye Ndaukatekeka Mwatile fought valiantly but lacked support from the other batters.
- Jenipher Gabriel Kimaro’s all-round performance (28 runs and 2 wickets) guided Tanzania to a comfortable victory in the chase.
This win saw Tanzania end their campaign on a high, securing the fifth spot, while Namibia will look to build on this experience in future tournaments.
