17 Feb 2013

 

Minjex Mokwepa was crowned champion after defeating Blue Tree Tshukudu by seven wickets in the Cricket Thuntsha Twenty20 league final last Friday.

Tshukudu batted first in the enthralling showdown played at the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) Oval 1, and managed to score a total of 147 runs for seven wickets in their 20 overs.

They started the match on shaky ground by losing Ali Shahbaz’s wicket in the first over of their innings.

However, national team star Karabo Motlhanka came on to partner Faisac Rana Rasheed and the two managed to lift Tshukudu to 68 for 2 before Motlhanka was bowled out by Aamir Saiyed in the tenth over. 

With 37 runs that included 4 fours, Motlhanka was his team’s best performer of the night.

Chasing a target of 148 runs in their innings, Mokwepa knew that victory was within sight and they overcame the early losses of two wickets by producing a superb batting performance which saw them claim the title after scoring 151 runs for 3 in 18 overs.

Mokwepa appeared in disarray when John Mokokwe got bowled out by Afzal Patel in the first over, and Patel also bowled out Aamir Saiyed in the fifth over. 

Then batsmen Reginald Nchonde and Abim Diddiqui came on to produce superb batting, scoring a combined 108 runs that included 3 sixes and 11 fours to lift their team to a comprehensive victory.

The Thuntsha Twenty20 league was an initiative by BCA to keep national team players active ahead of the ICC Africa Division 1 Twenty20 qualifiers to be held in Uganda from February 22-28.

The league had four teams and was played on a round-robin basis before the top two progressed to the final. Mokwepa won the round-robin format while Tshukudu came second.

National team head coach, Arjun Menon said he was happy with the commitment and determination displayed by players since the league commenced on January 26.

Mokwepa players were awarded gold medals for winning the championship while Tshukudu got silver medals. The league was played without any title sponsorship. ENDS