Century marks Motlhanka’s coming of age
Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 8, 2026 06:00
For more than a decade, Motlhanka has carried the hopes of Botswana cricket on his shoulders. As captain and often the team’s batting mainstay, he has been one of the faces of the sport’s growth in the country.
Yet one milestone had continued to elude him; a century at the international level. But that changed in spectacular fashion when Motlhanka struck his maiden T20 International (T20I) hundred, when he clubbed an unbeaten 112 off just 57 balls against Cote d’Ivoire last week during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifiers.
The cricketer was in belligerent form throughout the tournament and emerged with the best batsman’s award. By scoring his maiden ton, Motlhanka became the first Motswana cricket player to achieve the feat and wrote a new chapter in the nation’s sporting history.
It was a magnificent knock as he clobbered the hapless bowlers to all corners of the pitch, ably supported by the equally explosive Monroux Kasselman, who reached 102 off 56 balls.
Kasselman is a player on the rise and was one of Botswana’s standout performers during the weeklong tournament, but all the accolades belonged to the defiant 34-year-old.
For a player who made his senior debut as a teenager and went on to captain Botswana in numerous international tournaments, the landmark innings felt like a natural reward for his persistence and professionalism.
Motlhanka has long been regarded as one of Botswana’s most accomplished cricketers. A left-handed top-order batter and occasional wicketkeeper, he emerged through the Botswana Cricket Association development structures before becoming a fixture in the national side.
His leadership qualities were recognised early, with the captaincy handed to him whilst still a young player. Since then, he has been at the forefront of Botswana’s rise in African cricket, helping the team progress through regional divisions and compete against stronger opposition across the continent. A major factor in Motlhanka’s development has been his willingness to step outside his comfort zone and test himself in different cricketing environments.
“I think the (stints abroad) have massively benefitted me because they have tested me in several ways both on and off the field. They have helped me build resilience as well as helped me gain valuable experience in knowing how to navigate different conditions and live match situations. I think most things in cricket, only experience can teach you and that also helps to build confidence,” Motlhanka told MmegiSport.
Zimbabwe played a crucial role in broadening his horizons. In 2022, Motlhanka earned an opportunity to play first-class cricket for the Matabeleland Tuskers in the Logan Cup, Zimbabwe’s premier domestic competition.
The experience exposed him to a higher standard of cricket, challenging him to refine his technique. It was another important step in his cricketing career, which offered invaluable lessons about the demands of elite competition.
The United Kingdom has also been central to his growth as a cricketer. His first significant stint came in 2017 when he joined Holmewood Cricket Club in Derbyshire. The season proved hugely productive, with Motlhanka scoring more than 900 runs and demonstrating his ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions. Playing week after week in competitive English league cricket sharpened his batting and enhanced his leadership skills.
His return to England in 2025 provided another opportunity to develop. Turning out for Cleeve Cricket Club, Motlhanka once again showcased his quality with both bat and ball whilst gaining further exposure.
The demands of English league cricket, where players are expected to perform consistently across a long season, helped refine the discipline that has become one of the hallmarks of his game. Those overseas experiences have shaped the batter that the nations see today. Motlhanka’s composure and shot selection are born from years of facing varied bowling attacks and adapting to different playing conditions. His innings against Cote d’Ivoire was a masterclass in balancing aggression with control. The century is not just three figures, but carries immense significance for Botswana cricket. It serves as evidence that local players can produce performances capable of standing alongside those from more established cricketing nations. “Being the first Motswana to score a T20i century is an extremely proud achievement and I can only hope that it has opened the door for others to follow,” he said. “It is also a satisfying personal reward for a lot of years of hard work and something I can look back at fondly for the rest of my life. They say the first one is usually the most special, and to do it after overcoming a very serious injury at the beginning of the year leaves me a bit lost for words to be honest,” Motlhanka added.
For young cricketers in Botswana, Motlhanka’s achievement provides a powerful example. His journey is proof that success is built through years of dedication and resilience. Motlhanka has provided a vital lesson. From development programmes in Gaborone to club cricket in England and first-class competition in Zimbabwe, every stage of his career contributed to the player who eventually reached the landmark.
It was fitting that T20I century moment came from a player who has given so much to Botswana cricket. In 2024, Motlhanka was voted Public Athlete of the Year, a fitting tribute to his excellent work on the cricket pitch.
Whilst reaching his first century was a significant personal milestone, importantly, it offers proof that Botswana cricket continues to move forward. Botswana now has four centuries in T20 internationals, with Vino Balakrishnan of Indian origin, the first to achieve the feat and has two under his belt. Kasselman’s ton against Cote d’Ivoire was the third by a Botswana player. Despite the heartbreak of missing out on a place in the finals of the Africa qualifiers, Botswana cricket can look back with pride at the efforts of its captain, ably supported by a rising stars. Botswana finished third behind Rwanda and Kenya in a tournament that featured seven nations, with two slots on offer as the race for the 2027 T20 World Cup qualifiers intensifies.
Motlhanka this week flew back to England to continue his club cricket with Cleeve Cricket Club.