…Fanny Utagushimaninde makes history on her international debut as she becomes the youngest player to score a century in Women’s T20i
…Nigeria makes strong statement with 8 wickets victory over Zimbabwe Women’s U-19
The 5th Edition of the NCF Women’s Invitational tournament tagged ‘’Patricia kambarami Cup’’ began on a grand scale with opening fixtures between Ghana and Rwanda. The trophy was named in memory of Patricia Kambarami, who passed on as the former Regional Development Manager, ICC Africa. She was instrumental in the rapid spread and development of Cricket among Associate Member countries with Africa’s Women cricket gaining continental and global recognition.
Match 1 (Ghana vs Rwanda)
A press statement signed by Musa Ehizoje Bodie, NCF’s Public Relations/Business Development Manager on March 20, 2026 said Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat first, proving quickly to be the right decision as Fanny Utagushimaninde scored back-to-back boundaries off the first 2 deliveries from Rebecca Adotei. Rwanda finished the first over on 13 runs for no loss.
“The second over followed suite with Giselle Ishimwe starting off with a boundary as well and from then, it was raining boundaries from both the Rwanda opening pair. Rwanda raced to 43 runs for no loss after 3 overs. The breakthrough came in the 4th over when Giselle was dismissed off a fantastic catch by Kate Awuah at square leg which led to introduction of the Rwanda captain, Diane Bimenyimana.
At the end of 6 overs of power play, Rwanda sat firmly on 61 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Captain Diane fell in the 8th over after contributing 7 runs as Rwanda lost their 2nd wicket.
Clarisse Umutoniwase came in at Number 4 and straight into the action with a boundary. Rwanda lost wickets in quick successions while keeping the board ticking to hit the century mark with the loss of 3 wickets after 11 overs. Fanny announced herself to international cricket with a brilliantly crafted 101 runs off 59 balls on her international debut with 2 overs to spare with Rwanda on 183 runs.
Top performers with the bat for Rwanda was Fanny Utagushimaninde with 111 runs off 65 balls, with 17 Fours’ not out, strongly followed by Uwase Merveille with 32 runs off 19 balls. Gisele and Clarisse scored 14 and 15 runs respectively to wrap up an impressive all round batting performance.
In the second innings, Ghana displayed courage facing the pacy opening bowling pair of Belise Murekatete and Geovanis Uwase with Rashidatu Salia of Ghana taking the game to Rwanda. Rashidat was run out off the next ball to record the first wicket loss for Ghana on 27 runs in 4.2 overs.
At the end of the power play of 6 overs, Ghana were on 35 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Ghana lost Annor Eliza almost immediately on 11 runs as Rwanda continued to pile the pressure.
The pressure paid off as Ghana lost the 3rd wicket of Elle Out Asante in 9.5 overs with 45 runs on the board and the 4th wicket in 15 overs with 61 runs recorded. Wickets fell every other over as Ghana struggled to maintain a decent partnership.
In the end, Ghana finished with 88 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs
Fanny Utagushimaninde was named player of the match.
Rwanda won by 122 runs
Match 2: Nigeria vs Zimbabwe U-19
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first. Nigeria opening bowling pair of Lilian Ude and Anointed Akhigbe started brightly with Anointed getting the breakthrough in the 3rd over as Zimbabwe lost the wicket of Nicollete Nyika for 5 runs. At the end of 6 overs of power play, Zimbabwe were on 32 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Zimbabwe lost the 2nd wicket off the last ball in the 7th over as Usen peace halted the momentum of Zimbabwe. 2nd wicket led to the 3rd, 4th and very quickly to the 5th as Peace Usen continued to deliver the goods. At 10.3 overs, Zimbabwe was on 46 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.
Just as Zimbabwe began to build a partnership, Anionted Akhigbe struck twice in the 12th over to leave Zimbabwe on 53 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Christabel Chukuonye delivered a perfect throw from the boundary to run out Maposa Buhlebenkosi as Zimbabwe lost their 8th wicket for 56 5uns in 12.1 overs.
*Zimbabwe Under-19 finished with 80 runs all out in 16.5 overs*
Peace usen finished with 3 wickets, conceding 16 runs in her allotted 4 overs, strongly supported by Anointed Akhigbe with 3 wickets in 3 overs.
Beloved Biza scored 21 runs off 23 balls, Lorraine Pemhiwa with 22 runs off 19 balls and Nokuntenda Makanhiwa 10 runs off 19 balls as the best batting figures for Zimbabwe U-19.
In the second innings, Nigeria opening pair of Captain Lucky Piety Victory Igbinedion approached the run chase with calm and precision, scoring boundaries while rotating strike.
Zimbabwe broke the partnership quickly in the 5th over as Piety was dismissed for 21 runs off 19 balls with Nigeria on 34 runs. Victory Igbinedion joined Piety in the dugout for 10 runs off 11 balls. At the end of the batting power play, Nigeria sat comfortably on 42 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
The partnership of Amusa Kehinde and Salome Sunday made no mistake by contributing 31 runs off 28 balls, with Salome on 16 runs off 16 balls and Amusa on 8 runs off 15 balls after with Nigeria on 68 runs after 10 overs.
Nigeria successfully chased down the runs to finish with 81 runs in 11.2 overs. Salome Sunday finished with 19 runs off 21 balls and Amusa with 13 runs off 20 balls.
Peace Usen was named player of the match
*Nigeria won by 8 Wickets*
Ends…………..
*Musa Ehizoje Bodie*
*Public Relations/Biz. Dev. Mgr*
