Hosts Kenya To Battle Uganda, Tanzania, Qatar In Women’s T20 International At Nairobi Gymkhana

***Kenya women’s cricket team celebrate their victory against Namibia at the Kwibuka T20 tournament in Kigali Rwanda last year. PHOTO/ICC***

NAIROBI, Kenya- Hosts Kenya is looking to improve its ranking in the inaugural Dafabet – Kenya Women’s T20 Cricket Tournament that bowls off in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The country will battle other prolific nations including high ranked Tanzania, Uganda and Qatar in the contest being held at the historic Nairobi Gymkhana.

The tournament that was officially unveiled on Monday in the presence of the Cricket Kenya Board of Directors runs from December 13 to 21.

Speaking to the Press, Cricket Kenya’s Director of Women’s Cricket, Pearlyne Omamo expressed her confidence in getting Kenya’s ranking up the order and making up for the lost time.

With an assured government backing so far, Ms Omamo added that Kunhe were also taking up the mantle of sponsoring Cricket Kenya’s development programmes where the Women’s Cricket falls under to ensure sustenance.

Kenya women’s cricket team magnificent spin bowler Sarah Wetoto receives her woman of the match award from an ICC official after leading Kenya to bundle out Namibia during the Kwibuka T20 tournament in Kigali Rwanda last year. PHOTO/ICC

“We have been lucky to receive Government support in the past and we look to maintain this partnership in the future as we host more tournaments,” she added, stating that the tournament creates a pipeline to get other partners on board.

Kenya has not hosted an International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s tournament since the ICC Women’s World Cup Africa Qualifier in December 2010 where Kenya finished second behind South Africa.

It is therefore a positive that the Quadrangular tournament has been approved by the ICC and will attract iT20 ranking points with all the teams emphasizing the need to improve their ranking as well as gain much needed exposure.

Tanzania is the highest ranked at 16 with 124 points, Uganda at 21 with 94, Kenya 23 with 83 and Qatar at 45 with only 16 points.

***The jubiliant Kenya women cricket team savours victory at the Kwibuka T20 tournament in Kigali Rwanda last year. PHOTO/ICC***

The Women’s Director also noted the positives in having a Board composed of former international players which is a vital driver in regaining Kenya’s place as an important ICC member, especially in the region.

“We understand that the more games we play, the better it is for us to get back on course and this is a good place to start since we hosted Uganda and Rwanda at Sir Ali Muslim Club in 2017.

“We are also in the process of hiring a Development Director who will spearhead an initiative to develop the game in schools, where most of us learnt the game from.” Stated Ms Omamo.