TANZANIA's senior national women's cricket team succumbed to its first loss in the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament 2025, losing to Nigeria by two wickets in Rwanda two days back.

A less satisfactory batting showing looked to have been the major factor for the less favourable results for Tanzania, considering most key players did not step up when the team took the crease. The Shufaa Hamza-led Tanzania's women's squad took the crease first on Match Day 3 of the tournament but could not make the most of the batting time, managing to notch just 82/9 in 20 overs.

Neema Justine, Getrude Mushi, and Agnes Qwele were, in the end, the cricketers with a meaningful showing in what was generally a less convincing outing for Tanzania. The in-form Neema, now boasting two Player of the Match prizes, was the cricketer with the most runs in Tanzania's innings, scoring 21 runs at a strike rate of 100.00.

She has continued to put herself in a good position in the race for the Best Batter award in the showdown, but she has to step up in the remaining fixtures to stay within reach of the feat. The batting team fought to reach 27-2 upon Neema's exit in the fifth over and there was not much it could do as several dependable players had brief spells.

The likelihood of reaching triple digits was diminishing as the innings wore down, given the cricketers reached 64-7 in the 14th over, once the other key member, Getrude, made her way back. Getrude chipped in with 14 runs during her stay at the crease, as she proved she is slowly shedding off her fringe-player status in the squad.

Agnes was the other batter with two digits as the cricketer garnered 12 runs not out. Anointed Akhigbe, Kehinde Amusa, and Peace Usen racked up two wickets apiece in Nigeria's successful efforts to repel Tanzania's batting charge.

The Favour Eseigbe-led Nigeria, much as they were pursuing a modest target of 83 runs, had to toil to ultimately fulfil their dream after scoring 83/8 in 20 overs. Favour exhibited her batting heroics to propel the West African nation's cricketers to their first victory in this year's showdown.

The opener hammered 37 runs at a strike rate of 75.51 to, ultimately, end up with the best batting figures for Nigeria. Liliane Ude, batting at number three, was moreover a cricketer who put in an encouraging display and chipped in with two digits, having garnered 15 runs.

Much as they worked hard, seeking to tame Nigeria, efforts by Tanzania's bowling unit members ended in vain. Sophia Frank had the best bowling statistics, notching 3-11, in what was a fruitless attempt by the bowling side to contain the opponents.

Seasoned player Nasra Nassoro fought to prove her worth and make up for her frustrating batting outing, garnering 2-14 for Tanzania. A valiant display of grit and fight by Tanzania's senior national women's team, as disclosed by a Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) officer. 

The officer stated that the game went down to the wire and the association is proud of the cricketers' efforts. Players forming Tanzania's senior national women's cricket team are 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.