Rwanda bowled out Mali for a total of just six runs as Mali registered the lowest total in a Women’s T20 International ever in the Kwibuka Women’s tournament in Kigali City on Tuesday.
Although the Mali innings lasted nine overs, they managed a paltry total of six runs. Mali opener Marima Samake scored a solitary run before getting out.
It is worth noting that it was the only run that came of the bat. All other players scored ducks. The other five runs added to the Mali scoreboard came as extras. Had the Rwanda bowlers not been generous enough to give away five runs, the record for the lowest total could have been even lower.
Of the eleven Mali batters, only one player lasted for more than 10 balls. This was Maimouna Coulibaly who came in to bat at No 6 and lasted in the middle for a dozen deliveries.
The next longest stay at the crease was of Tenin Konate who had lasted seven balls.
In response to Mali’s lowest total ever in a Women’s T20 International, Rwanda eased past the target in just four balls as the match which was scheduled to be a 20 overs a side contest, lasted 10 overs in total.
Rwanda’s win is also a record for the biggest margin of victory, in terms of balls remaining – 116 balls. For Rwanda, pacer Josiane Nyirankundineza picked up three wickets for no runs. Marie Diane Bimenyimana and leg-spinner Margueritte Vumiliya also picked up a couple of wickets each.
Bimenyimana gave away only two runs in her spell but in the context of the match, became the most expensive Rwanda bowler.
Also interesting is the fact that Mali had won the toss and elected to bat first. The previous lowest total in a Women’s T20 International was 14 runs which was posted by China against UAE in Bangkok earlier this year.