The final leg of African qualifying for July's global World Twenty20 Qualifier got underway in South Africa today, with Kenya, Namibia and Uganda all recording wins on the opening day. Two teams will progress from the tournament into the global qualifier in Scotland & Ireland.
Namibia batted first in their game against Ghana, scoring 157-4 from their 20 overs. Gerrie Snyman led the way with 45 from 27 balls, whilst Jean Kotze smashed an unbeaten 40 from just 18 balls. Ghana then struggled to score in their reply, only managing 67 from their 20 overs, losing by 90 runs.
Kenyan captain Rakep Patel won the toss and chose to put Botswana into bat in their game. James Moses top scored for them with an unbeaten 33, but there wasn't much else to the Botswanan batting as they reached 103-7 from their 20 overs. Irfan Karim led Kenya's reply with 40 as they completed a six wicket win in 14.2 overs.
Abhik Patwa batted superbly for Tanzania in their match against Uganda, scoring 73 from 51 balls. But the next highest score was the 13 extras conceded by Uganda as they were restricted to 128-7 from their 20 overs. Uganda, who have made substantial changes to the squad that played in WCL2, knocked off the runs in 14.4 overs to win by 8 wickets, A Otwan scoring an unbeaten 51.
The tournament continues tomorrow with Kenya playing Uganda, Namibia playing Botswana and Ghana playing Tanzania.
Results
Namibia beat Ghana by 90 runs
Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 27 March
Namibia 157-4 (20 overs, G Snyman 45, J Kotze 40*)
Ghana 67-6 (20 overs)
Kenya beat Botswana by 6 wickets
Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 27 March
Botswana 103-7 (20 overs, J Ngoche 3-15)
Kenya 106-4 (14.2 overs, I Karim 40, R Nehonde 3-25)
Uganda beat Tanzania by 8 wickets
Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 27 March
Tanzania 128-7 (20 overs, A Patwa 73)
Uganda 129-2 (14.4 overs, A Otwan 51*)