Kenya U19 girls hammers Botswana to maintain 100% record at ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers

The Kenya U19 girls team on Saturday continued with their impressive performance at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup - Africa Division Two qualifiers after obliterating Botswana by 135 runs at the Gahanga International Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

The team, led by former cricketer Maurice Ouma, was in no mood to slow down from their 20-run victory over Sierra Leone on Thursday, as they broke out with the bat to hit 170 runs in the first innings, and just for the loss of three wickets.

Botswana, on the other hand, had a second innings to forget as they slumped to a meagre 35 runs all out after 15.1 overs, wrapping up the convincing win for Kenya, who are still unbeaten in the tournament.

Having starred in the team’s opening win against Lesotho on Wednesday, it was Melvin Khagoitsa who delivered a stunning performance yet again, as she hit a 59-ball 98, that saw her scoop the Player of the Match gong.

U19 Women's WC Qualifiers: Khagoitsa dazzles as Kenya swats Lesotho aside

Her stand with fellow opener Janet Makau (19) appeared to have done the damage on Botswana, and with a tough task against Kenyan bowlers to come.

The second innings was dominated by the trio of Makau, Neeza Divine and Stella Idagiza who took three wickets each, with Khagoitsa, Neera Ruda and Roshele Atamba picking a pair each for their troubles.

With three wins in three, Kenya is currently second on the log behind leaders Malawi who have played a game more and will bid to be among the top two teams in the points table after all round-robin matches, to advance to the Africa qualifier.

Only one team from Africa will stand the chance of representing the continent at the ICC U-19 Women’s Cricket World Cup in Malaysia and Thailand next year.