TANZANIA's senior national women's cricket team commanded a surprise seven-wicket victory over Rwanda in the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament 2025 clash in Rwanda yesterday.

It turned out to be the first defeat for Rwanda, arguably one of the showdown's title favourites because of their performance, denting the team's title-winning ambitions.

The Marie Bimenyimana-led Rwanda had the chance to bat first but could not make the most of it, having been bowled out for 74 runs in 20 overs.

Opening batters, Merveille Uwase and Marie, covered every blade of grass, aiming to, apart from dominating the innings, guarantee Rwanda notching a bigger figure.

Merveille was the top run-getter for Rwanda, garnering a 33-ball 22 at a strike rate of 66.67.

Team skipper Marie worked equally hard, making her way back as the other cricketer with a significant contribution in an otherwise below-par showing by Rwanda.

Marie was the other batter with two digits given she notched 15 runs at a strike rate of 50.00.

A batting collapse, which happened once the resolute Merveille left the crease in the 12th over, turned out to be Rwanda's biggest undoing.

The rest of Rwanda's members of the batting unit, including the experienced Henriette Ishimwe, had brief spells at the crease, consequently frustrating chances for the hosts to place a challenging target for Tanzania.

Henriette, the otherwise fearsome batter, lasted just seven minutes at the crease to ultimately make her way back with a run to her name.

Agnes Qwele and Mwanamvua Hamisi orchestrated a bowling onslaught by Tanzania and played a pivotal role in the cricketers' quest to keep Rwanda in check.

Agnes had the best bowling figures for Tanzania having grabbed 4-7 in four overs and posted a 1.75 economy rate.

In Mwanamvua's four over quota, the player, who is slowly establishing herself as one of the team's top bowlers, notched 3-10, which had her finish with a 2.50 economy rate.

Needing 75 runs to grab a momentous victory, Tanzania zealously mounted a successful chase and ultimately stayed within reach of their efforts to finish in a better spot.

The batting team garnered 78/3 in 11.2 overs in what happened to be a relatively easy chase, thanks to an impressive showing by Fatuma Omari and Neema Justine.

Fatuma proved she is a cricketer that Tanzania can always bank on in crucial moments, given that she garnered 41 runs not out.

It was quite a scintillating batting outing for Fatuma, having been placed as an opener for the second game in a row.

Neema stretched her convincing showing with the bat with her 10 runs.

The early exits of Saum Godfrey and Hudaa Mrisho could not weaken Tanzania's resolve, after Fatuma had partnered with Jenipher Gabriel to make certain of the successful chase.

The experienced opener forged a solid fourth-wicket stand with Jenipher, who returned with bat in hand and six runs, and helped Tanzania win a fourth match.

Henriette was the only bowler with a showing worth noting for Rwanda after posting 2-15.

Tanzania's female cricketers, earlier, saw their hopes of lifting the tournament's title slowly go up in smoke, given the squad lost to Uganda by 20 runs last Tuesday.

It was a third loss for Tanzania's women's side, leaving it holding fifth position in the tournament table with a 1.508 Net Run Rate before yesterday's game versus Rwanda.

Tanzania's senior national women's cricket team gave it their all in the all-East African clash against Uganda but could not prove their worth.

Having won the toss, Tanzania opted to field and restricted Uganda to 99/6 in 20 overs.

Chasing 100 runs to garner victory and scale up the tournament table, Tanzania worked hard but came short, ending up with 79 runs all out in 18 overs.

A Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) officer stated there are a lot of positives to take forward as the team regroups for the next challenge in the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament 2025..

Teams participating in the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament take on each other in a round-robin format, after which the top four will advance to the semi-finals.

Tanzania's senior national women's cricket team consists of Agnes Qwele, Fatuma Omari, Getrude Mushi, Hudaa Mrisho, Jenipher Gabriel, Linda Justine, Mwanamvua Hamisi, and Nasra Nassoro.

Neema Justine, Perice Zakayo, Saum Deo, Saum Godfrey, Sheila Kizito, Shufaa Hamza, Sophia Frank, and Tabu Saidi also make the list.

The technical bench consists of head coach Imran Nackerdien, his assistant Rijali Fentu, and team matron Monica Pascal.