Rwanda won a walkover against Gambia in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B due to the latter’s no-show. Kenya triumphed over Mozambique by 111 runs, while Zimbabwe claimed a 76-run victory against Seychelles, both matches utilizing the DLS method. This highlights the competitive nature of the tournament as teams vie for qualification.
In a remarkable turn of events during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B in Nairobi, Rwanda was awarded a walkover victory against Gambia after the Gambian team failed to show up for their match scheduled on October 19 at 9:30 AM at the Gymkhana Club. Consequently, Rwanda received the full match points corresponding to the walkover, marking a smooth beginning for their campaign. The Rwandan team is set to face Seychelles next at the Ruaraka Sports Club on Sunday. In another significant encounter, host nation Kenya claimed a decisive 111-run victory over Mozambique, utilizing the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after rain interrupted play. Rakep Patel was instrumental for the Kenyan side, scoring an impressive 120 runs off 55 balls. His explosive innings helped stabilize the team’s batting after an early loss of two wickets. Accompanying him were Sachin Bhudia and Dhiren Gondaria, who contributed with scores of 38 and 28 runs, respectively, leading Kenya to set a challenging target of 224 runs. With a formidable bowling performance from captain Shem Ngoche, who took 3 wickets for 16 runs, Mozambique struggled, managing only 76 runs in their rain-reduced innings, thus allowing Kenya to secure their first points in the tournament. In a separate match, Zimbabwe commenced their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier B campaign with a resounding 76-run victory over Seychelles, again using the DLS method. Zimbabwe displayed an exceptional batting performance, amassing a total of 286 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs, with Brian Bennett leading the charge with a rapid 91 runs from 35 balls. His partner Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed 86 runs from just 37 deliveries. In reply, Seychelles faced early challenges, losing two wickets without being able to build momentum, and their innings was severely hampered by rain. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly Richard Ngarava, who took 1 wicket for just 1 run, maintained pressure, resulting in Seychelles managing only 18 runs for the loss of two wickets before rain intervened, securing victory for Zimbabwe and establishing their strong position for qualification.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B is a critical event in the cricket calendar, aimed at determining which teams will advance in their quest for the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup. Teams from across Africa compete in this tournament, highlighting emerging cricket nations and providing a platform for them to showcase their talent. Match outcomes not only contribute to the tournament standings but also impact the development and visibility of cricket in participating countries, fostering greater interest and investment in the sport. The performances of teams like Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Seychelles during these qualifiers are crucial as they seek to improve their rankings and achieve international recognition.
The initial matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B have set a gripping tone for the tournament, with Rwanda securing an unanticipated walkover victory over Gambia, while Kenya and Zimbabwe displayed formidable performances against Mozambique and Seychelles, respectively. As the competition progresses, further challenges await these teams, and each match will be crucial in determining the eventual qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Rwanda is notably seeking to build upon their early success, while other teams will strive to bounce back from their opening defeats.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
