Cricket team advances in World Cup qualifiers
Mqondisi Dube | Friday November 29, 2024 12:37
This is after Botswana won all four matches in the Sub-Regional Qualifier C held in Nigeria this week. They were due to play Nigeria in a top-of-the-table clash to determine who wins the sub-regional qualifier. The hosts also progressed to the next round where they joined Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, and Uganda. The eight will fight for a spot at the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka. Uganda and Namibia, alongside the continent's top side, South Africa, were the continent's representatives at the 2024 edition co-hosted by West Indies and the United States. At the regional qualifier, Botswana showed their mettle pitted against the hosts, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, St. Helena, and Ivory Coast. The Baggy Blues and Nigeria proved to be a cut above the rest as they recorded convincing results on their way to securing qualification. In the first match against Eswatini, Botswana posted 175/4 in 20 overs, powered by a century from Vinoo Balakrishnan.
The opposition was dismissed for 127 in the 19th over with Mmoloki Mooketsi being the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3/23. On Sunday, Botswana was up against Sierra Leone in their second match. Sierra Leone won the toss and chose to bat but could only manage 115 all out and failed to utilise their full set of overs as they were dismissed in the 16th over. The Baggy Blues then cruised to victory with more than two overs to spare on the back of a 35 from Valentine Mbazo whilst Tharindu Perera took 4/21. On Tuesday, Botswana continued with their winning run as they registered a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Ivory Coast in a one-sided contest. Ivory Coast were bundled out for a meagre 31 in 11 overs before Botswana's openers finished the job without raising a sweat in just 2.1 overs. Mooketsi took three wickets without conceding a run as Botswana rattled a poor Ivory Coast batting line-up. Yesterday, Botswana was equally unforgiving with a nine-wicket victory over islanders, St. Helena. Captain Karabo Motlhanka hit almost a run-a-ball half-century, whilst Mooketsi continued with his rich vein of wicket-picking form. He snared three wickets for 11 runs in his allotted four overs. In the heavyweight clash, Botswana played Nigeria yesterday afternoon, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat. However, the game was only meant to decide the table toppers as both sides will now have a tougher test in the next round.
Captain Motlhanka said the boys are pleased with the progress made. 'The progress to the Africa finals is a please one for all of us, especially after missing out in the last two attempts. I think it is, especially important for this young team to be exposed to the best Africa has to offer,' Motlhanka said. 'It will help in the further development of the team to reach even greater heights. There is still some time yet until the finals, so I think I will be better positioned to answer expectations once we have gone through full preparations, but of course, it is our collective goal to reach the 2026 T20 World Cup,' he added.