ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A has started in Rwanda today 17 November 2022. The Qualifier includes seven teams namely Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Saint Helena and Seychelles.
Today, the first day of the event had 4 matches: Rwanda vs Botswana, Lesotho vs Mali, Kenya vs Saint Helena and Botswana vs Seychelles.
While the first two matches of today, Rwanda vs Botswana and Lesotho vs Mali, were completed; the next two matches were cancelled due to bad weather.
In the match between Rwanda and Botswana, hosts Rwanda won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first, Botswana was packed at 106 runs in 20 overs from the hosts. The hosts chased it down in 17.2 overs making 108 runs at the loss off 5 wickets. Eric Dusingizimana was the highest run scorer for Rwanda in the game with 33 runs off 32 balls. In the bowling, Martin Akayezu was the most successful bowler for the hosts as he took 4 wickets in his 4 overs. For Botswana, Tharindu Perera-I was the highest run scorer in the game with 28 runs off 27 balls. In bowling, Dhruv Maisuria and Reginald Nehonde took two wickets each in the game, for Botswana. Rwanda won the game by 5 wickets.
In the match between Lesotho and Mali, Mali won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first Lesotho made 138/6 in 20 overs with Mpiti Lerotholi playing a not-out inning of 45 runs in 37 balls. Mpiti is also the highest run scorer for the team in the game. Theodore Macalou was the highest wicket-taker for Mali in the game, against Lesotho, with his two wickets. Mali came to bat in the second inning of the game to chase the target of 108 runs. But, they were packed at 107 runs by the opponent in 17.5 overs. Cheick Amala Keita was the highest run scorer for the team with 35 runs off 28 balls. Waseem Yaqoob, Tsepiso Chaoana and Yahya Jakda from Lesotho took two wickets each to be the most successful bowlers in the game, in terms of wicket-taking. Lesotho won the game by 31 runs.
The match between Kenya and Saint Helena was abandoned when Kenya was at 48/0 in 4 overs after they were invited to bat first in the game by the toss-winning team Saint Helena.
And, the match between Botswana and Seychelles was also abandoned today. Before the game got abandoned, Botswana was at 115/2 in 15 overs after they were invited to bat first in the game by the toss-winning team Seychelles.
