Tanzania, led by skipper Shufaa Mohamedi, were up against Rwanda, led by skipper Marie Bimenyimana, in the 1st semi-final, and Zimbabwe XI, led by skipper Nomvelo Sibanda, were up against Uganda, led by skipper Janet Mbabazi, in the 2nd semi-final on the 10th day of the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament 2025. Rwanda finished on top of the points table with 14 points from 8 games, including 7 victories and a solitary defeat against Tanzania.
Uganda finished 2nd on the points table with 12 points from 8 games, including 6 victories. Zimbabwe finished in 3rd place with the same number of points (12 from 8 games), and Tanzania finished in 4th place in the points table with 10 points from 8 games, including 5 victories and three defeats in their campaign. A top four finish ensured them a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Agnes Qwele returns 4/12 as Tanzania book a spot in the final
The Rwandan skipper, Marie Bimenyimana, ran through the Tanzanian batting line-up after opting to bowl first on winning the toss. She also bagged a five-wicket haul, her 4th in the T20I format, to wrap Tanzania to 59, with five overs to spare. Saum Mtae (15 off 17 balls) and Jenifer Kimaro (13 off 18 balls) were the only batters to enter the double digits for Tanzania.
Marie Bimenyimana (3-0-6-5) was exceptional with the ball, leading from the front for Rwanda. Rosette Shimwamana (3-1-8-1), Henriette Ishimwe (3-0-10-1), Rosine Irera (2-0-11-1), and Alice Ikuzwe (2-1-7-0) played their part with the ball for their side.
Defending a modest total of 60, the Tanzanian bowlers refused to give up, coming out all guns blazing, hunting like a pack, folding the Rwandan innings for just 43, with 16 balls to spare. As a result, Tanzania sealed the game by 16 runs. Rosette Shimwamana (15 off 28 balls) was the only batter to enter the double digits with the bat for Rwanda.
Agnes Qwele (4-1-12-4) and Mwanamvua Ushanga (4-2-3-2) were exceptional with the ball for Tanzania. While Pierce Kamunya (4-0-18-2), Neema Pius (3-1-5-1) and Nasra Saidi (2.2-0-5-1) played their part with the ball for their side. Agnes Qwele was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational 4-1-12-4 match-winning spell for her side, playing a crucial role defending a low total as Tanzania booked their spot for the grand finale.
Nomvelo Sibanda leads as Zimbabwe HP XI clinch an edge-of-the-seat thriller
Uganda restricted Zimbabwe HP XI to a decent total of 93/8 in their quota of 20 overs, after the skipper, Janet Mbabazi, won the toss and opted to field first. A blazing cameo from Loryn Phiri (32* off 20 balls) propelled them to a total closer to the 100-run mark. Wicket-keeper batter Chiedza Dhururu (15 off 30 balls), skipper Nomvelo Sibanda (14 off 14 balls), and Nokutenda Makanhiwa (13 off 15 balls) chipped in with vital contributions with the bat for Zimbabwe High Performance (HP) XI.
Concy Aweko (4-0-10-3), Kevin Amuge (3-0-14-2), Phiona Kulume (2-1-2-0) were sensational with the ball, while skipper Janet Mbabazi (4-0-23-1), Stephanie Nampiina (4-0-24-1), played their part with the ball for their side.
Chasing a target of 94, the Ugandan top-order got them off to a solid start, with a 44-run opening partnership between Esther Iloku and skipper Janet Mbabazi. It was followed by another vital 39-run partnership for the 2nd wicket between Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Esther Iloku took them closer to a memorable victory. However, the Zimbabwean bowlers had other plans as they kept believing in themselves and held their nerve till the end to seal the game by one run in an edge-of-the-seat thriller. A theatrical drama unfolded as Uganda lost their last 8 wickets for just 9 runs, as a result getting bundled out for 92 with five balls to spare.
Esther Iloku (54 off 49 balls) scored a brilliant half-century, alongside skipper Janet Mbabazi (22 off 27 balls), and eventually, ended up as the only pair of batters to enter the double digits for Uganda. Skipper Nomvelo Sibanda (4-0-17-2), Christabel Chatonzwa (4-1-19-1), Mitchelle Mavunga (4-1-15-0), Lindokuhle Mabhero (2-0-7-1), and Loreen Tshuma (3.1-0-20-1) were the top performers with the ball for Zimbabwe High Performance XI. Skipper Nomvelo Sibanda was awarded the Player of the Match for her 14 off 14 balls and 4-0-17-2.
