By Sahr Morris Jnr
The Sierra Leone Women’s Cricket team suffered their second successive defeat in the ongoing Women’s T20 Invitational Tournament, in Lagos Nigeria, after losing to host Nigeria and Rwanda respectively.
The Female Patriot suffered a woeful defeat to Rwanda on Monday, February 26 losing by 10 wickets.
Sierra Leone’s batting proved poor for the Rwanda opponent who limited them to 53 runs in 10.3 overs, with 10 Extras.
In reply, Rwanda secured 50 runs in 5.1 overs, plus 1 Extra as Uwase Merveille scored 23 runs from 15 balls while Ishimwe Gisele scored m 26 from 16 balls.
Earlier on Sunday, Nigeria’s senior female team began their title defence with a 54-run win over the Sierra Leone women’s team at the Tafawa Balewa cricket oval in Lagos.
Nigeria had elected to bat after winning the toss and set a 137-run (for the loss of two wickets) hurdle for the Sierra Leonean side in their innings. Favour Eseigbe contributed 44 runs from 48 balls, while Peculiar Agboya and Esther Sandy left 33 and 30 balls apiece in the inning.
In the second inning, Ann-Marie Monica Kamara and Janet Kowa pulled in 22 and 21 runs, respectively, in a bid to chase the score the rampart Nigerian side had left before eventually capitulating, with eight wickets felled.
Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, said the event was part of the many avenues that the Nigeria Cricket Federation has designed to promote the game, and it is pleasing to see rising international interest around the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Rwanda brushed aside the threat of a higher-ranking Tanzania for a 33-run win.
With the batting effort of Uwase Merveille (33 runs) and the bowling prowess of Ishimwe Henriette and Irera Rosine (three wickets each), Rwanda checked Tanzania’s potential for overturning their first inning’s 119 runs by leaving them at 86 all out.
