By YVONNE SAKALA –
ZAMBIA’S quest to qualify for the semi-finals at the ongoing Botswana Invitation Cricket Under-19 Girls tournament ended in a 38 runs defeat to Mozambique in their last Group A fixture.
The team started the campaign on a winning note, beating Malawi but suffered a loss at the hands of experienced Gauteng before losing again to Mozambique yesterday to miss out on the semi-final berth.
On the field of play at Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) Ovals ground, Mozambique won the toss and elected to field first and in their innings, they scored 136 runs for the loss of two wickets in their allocated 20 Overs.
In the second innings, Zambia, batting second, was restricted to 98 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allocated 20 Overs in a match that saw Mozambique’s Olga Mondlane voted player-of-the-match.
Meanwhile, the first semi final will see Group A runner-up Mozambique take on Group B winners Namibia with the second semi final pitting Group A leaders Gauteng against Botswana.
Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) president Reuben Chama commended the cricketers for the performance.
Chama said the players put up good show despite this being the first time to take part in an international championship.
“We are happy with the team’s performance because they have done well for the fact that it was their first attempt at international event.
“They have learnt one or two things at the championship and next time they will take part in another event they will probably do more than this,” Chama said.