DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA suffered a heavy nine-wicket defeat to hosts Namibia in their opening match of the Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series after being bowled out for 95 before the home side chased down the target with ease at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek on Tuesday.
After Namibia won the toss and elected to field, Tanzania made a promising start through opener Saum Mtae, who played positively from the outset.
However, the visitors failed to build on the early momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Tanzania’s innings suffered an early setback when captain Neema Pius was dismissed for a duck in the second over, leaving the side on 11-1.
Mtae continued to attack, striking four boundaries and a six in an entertaining 25 off 17 deliveries, but her dismissal with the score on 30 triggered another batting collapse.
Perice Kamunya contributed 11 before being run out, while Hudaa Omary managed seven and Nasra Nassoro Saidi added five as Namibia tightened their grip on the contest.
Agnes Qwele attempted to steady the innings with 17 from 22 balls, sharing useful partnerships with Nasra Nassoro Saidi and Aisha Mohamed.
Mohamed also showed resilience with 15 from 29 deliveries, but Tanzania struggled to accelerate during the closing overs.
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The innings was further hampered by poor running between the wickets, with five batters run out as Namibia’s fielders maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings.
Tanzania was eventually dismissed for 95 in 19 overs, scoring at exactly five runs an over. Namibia’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Victoria Hamunyela producing the standout performance.
She returned outstanding figures of 2-6 from her four overs, conceding just one-and-a-half runs an over while also bowling a maiden.
Wilka Mwatile claimed 2-14, while Mekelaye Mwatile chipped in with one wicket as the hosts restricted Tanzania well below a competitive total.