In the second match of the KENYA – RWANDA BILATERAL SERIES 2024, Rwanda leveled the series with an impressive 26-run victory over Kenya. The match, held on September 11, 2024, at the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi, saw Rwanda demonstrate their resilience with both bat and ball, securing their first win of the series.
Match Summary
Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat, posting a competitive total of 114/6 in their 20 overs. Kenya, chasing 115 to win, struggled throughout their innings and could only muster 88/9 in 20 overs, handing Rwanda a 26-run victory. This win helped Rwanda bounce back after their loss in the first game, showcasing their improved performance in both batting and bowling.
Rwanda’s Innings: Top Performers
Rwanda’s batting was anchored by a stellar performance from Gisele Ishimwe, who scored 34 runs off 28 balls, including 6 boundaries, at a strike rate of 121.43. Her aggressive approach at the top of the order set the tone for Rwanda’s innings. She was well-supported by Ishimwe Henriette, who contributed a steady 20 runs from 25 balls, including 3 boundaries.
The fourth-wicket partnership between Gisele and Henriette was crucial, adding 50 runs off 41 balls. This partnership helped Rwanda recover from early setbacks and post a defendable total. The innings was further aided by Kenya’s bowling errors, with 16 extras contributing significantly to Rwanda’s score
On the bowling front, Esther Wachira of Kenya was the standout performer, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs in her 4 overs. Despite her efforts, Rwanda’s batters were able to put up a challenging target for the Kenyan side
Kenya’s Chase: Rwanda’s Bowling Dominates
Kenya’s chase started with promise but quickly faltered as Rwanda’s bowlers kept a tight grip on the match. Esther Wachira, Kenya’s top scorer, managed 22 runs off 37 balls, but her slow strike rate of 59.46 reflected Kenya’s struggle to score freely. Kenya’s inability to build partnerships and rotate the strike consistently put them under pressure throughout their innings
Rwanda’s bowlers were exceptional, with Belise Murekatete leading the attack. She took 3 wickets for just 14 runs in her 4 overs, maintaining a remarkable economy rate of 3.50. Murekatete’s precision and control made it difficult for Kenya to accelerate, especially during the middle overs.
Rosine Irera also played a key role, taking 2 wickets for 16 runs in her 3 overs, with an economy of 5.33. Rwanda’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding limited Kenya’s scoring opportunities, ensuring they never gained the momentum needed to chase down the target
Key Moments
Rwanda’s innings featured some key partnerships, with the fourth-wicket stand between Gisele Ishimwe and Ishimwe Henriette being the highlight. Their partnership allowed Rwanda to recover from 52/3 and post a total that gave their bowlers something to defend. Kenya, in contrast, struggled to build any meaningful partnerships, with their highest score being just 50 runs by the 8.3 over mark
Rwanda’s 26-run victory
In the second match of the KENYA – RWANDA BILATERAL SERIES 2024 showcased their ability to bounce back after a defeat. With strong performances from both batters and bowlers, they successfully defended their total of 114 and leveled the series at 1-1. As the series progresses, both teams will be eager to claim the upper hand in what has become an exciting contest between two evenly matched sides.
