A good start for Ladies Patriot as they beat Cameroon in ICC T20 Division two qualifier opener
The Ladies Patriots of Sierra Leone had a thrilling opener at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier with an expensive 7-wicket win against Cameroon on Saturday at BCA Oval 2 in the city of Gaborone, Botswana.
Drawing from the gains earned at the Lagos Women’s Invitational Engagement early this year, Skipper Fatmata Parkinson Kamara says the Cameroon glory is a clear message to all contenders that the Ladies Patriots are competing for gold.
Sierra Leone won the toss and elected to field to assess the batting strength of the Cameroonians.
At the center, Bernadette Mbida faced new balls and scored only two runs before Sierra Leone’s Janet Kowa delivered a swing that caught her leg before wicket.
Then Michelle Ekani rose to the fight, but got caught out by Fillie having been squeezed to hit 8 runs off 19 balls for 42.10 strike rate.
Unsettled, confusion grew wild in the ranks of the Cameroonians and dispirited the resolve to set any crushing target as the six sent to the fore scored a combined figure of only 13.
All out in 13.5 overs, the Cameroonians could score only 40 for 2.89 run rate. Forty-one was the way to go.
Replying, Sierra Leone’s Emma Kamara had a tough start, having been run out by Leslie for just 3 runs off 4 balls.
To make for the lost gains, Marie Turay took to the bat and smacked 20 runs, receiving 17 balls for 117.64 strike rate, not out.
The Ladies, conceding only 11 extras, posted 42 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 5.5 overs with a run rate of 7.20. All clean, Sierra Leone won by 7 wickets.
Grabbing the Woman of the Match Award, Alice Fillie dedicated the recompense to teamwork.
For the next charge, the Ladies Patriots will face Mozambique tomorrow Sunday at BCA Oval 1 to increase point and to bolster the resolve for gold.
