The women's cricket team is through to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 qualifier after edging a close contest against Malawi by five runs at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval yesterday.
Inserted to bat, Botswana posted 124 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs, with woman-of-the-match Goabilwe Matome top-scoring with 42 from 36 balls. Malawi could only manage 119/8.
It was Matome who rescued the Botswana innings after the hosts had crumbled to 60-4. Skipper, Laura Mophakedi weighed in with a steady 30. Matome was not done with the bat as she returned to haunt the Malawi batswomen with figures of 3-17 in her four overs. Malawi started the run chase well but was pegged back when Matome dismissed Ketrina Chingaipe in the fourth over.
Thereafter, Malawi battled to find gaps, despite some loose balls from Botswana bowlers. But the entrance of Sungeni Kananji and Mercy Kudimba threatened to tilt the tie in favour of the Malawians.
With Matome on top of her game, she returned to remove Kudimba before Kananji was bowled for 42 to end any hopes the Malawians had. Botswana now moves to the semi-finals where they play Sierra Leone this morning. A win over Sierra Leone will book the Herons a ticket to the final round of the continental qualifiers to be held in Uganda in December.
