Bimenyimana demands better batting execution as Rwanda fall to Uganda

Rwanda Women National Cricket team captain Diane Marie Bimenyimana believes her side has only itself to blame for its six-run defeat to Uganda’s Victoria Pearls, insisting that failing to execute their plans while chasing cost them a chance to make it two wins from two at the 2026 Victoria Series.

Rwanda had done much of the hard work with the ball, restricting the defending champions to 99 for six in 20 overs at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe on Saturday. However, their batting response fell short, with the visitors managing 93 for eight in their allotted overs.

Reflecting on the defeat, Bimenyimana acknowledged that her bowlers did their job but admitted the batters failed to make the most of the opportunity.

“With a good first inning, we were able to restrict them to not go past 100. But in the second inning, when we were chasing, we didn’t execute ourselves in the middle. That’s where we fell short for today’s game,” she said.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Rwanda, particularly after their encouraging start to the competition on Friday, when they beat USA Women by 14 runs to register their first victory of the series.

Bimenyimana had won the toss in that opening match and elected to bat, although her own innings ended without scoring. She made up for it with the ball, taking two wickets for 12 runs to help Rwanda defend their total.

Alice Ikuzwe was equally impressive, claiming three wickets for 14 runs in 3.2 overs to walk away with the Player of the Match award.

Against Uganda, Bimenyimana again showed why she remains an important figure in Rwanda’s bowling attack, producing an excellent spell of four wickets for 14 runs in four overs.

Uganda captain Janet Mbabazi had won the toss and elected to bat, but Rwanda’s bowlers kept the home side under control throughout much of the innings.

Mbabazi fell for three runs, trapped leg before wicket by Rosine Irera, before Bimenyimana took charge of the attack.

The Rwanda captain dismissed Stephanie Nampiina for 14, Proscovia Alako for eight and Rita Musamali for 23, before returning to remove Immaculate Nakisuuyi for 11.

Musamali had provided some resistance with her 31-ball knock, while Esther Iloku remained unbeaten on 27 from 35 deliveries to help Uganda reach 99 for six.

Malisa Ariokot was the other dismissal, run out for three in the final over. Uganda’s total included 10 extras, with Irera contributing one wicket for 14 runs in her four overs.

With 100 runs required for victory, Rwanda appeared to have a manageable target, but Uganda’s bowlers made life difficult for them.

Fanny Utagushimaninde offered some resistance with 17 off 29 deliveries, while Shakila Niyomuhoza top-scored with 21 from 20 balls. Gisele Ishimwe added 10, but the wickets kept falling at crucial moments.

Rwanda slipped to 47 for four after the dismissals of Ishimwe, Clarisse Umuntoniwase, Utagushimaninde and Merveille Uwase, leaving the chase increasingly difficult.

Ikuzwe managed six before falling to Asumin Akurut, while Henriette Therese Ishimwe also scored six before being caught behind off Immaculate Nakisuuyi.

Niyomuhoza’s dismissal for 21 in the 19th over further damaged Rwanda’s hopes, and although Bimenyimana stayed unbeaten on eight alongside Rosine Irera, who finished on two not out, the target proved just out of reach.

Rwanda ended on 93 for eight, six runs short of Uganda’s total. Nakisuuyi was Uganda’s leading bowler with two wickets for 16 runs in four overs and Player of the match.

Sarah Walaza, Mbabazi, Consylate Aweko Nimungu and Akurut claimed one wicket each, with Walaza conceding 16 runs, Mbabazi 23, Aweko Nimungu 16 and Akurut 13.

For Bimenyimana, however, the defeat is not a reason to lose confidence in her team’s overall performance. With another match coming up, she wants her players to put the disappointment behind them, remain positive and enjoy their cricket.

Asked what Rwanda needed to improve against Namibia, she pointed to the importance of better execution in the middle.

“It’s just a few mistakes, like the way I say it. It’s only the midfielders to just make sure that they execute themselves and stay positive,” she said.

“To make sure that they just enjoy themselves when they are on the pitch there. That’s the only thing we have to correct tomorrow. Otherwise, all other departments are doing very well.”

The captain has also been one of Rwanda’s most reliable performers with the ball, taking two wickets against the USA before improving that return to four against Uganda.

She puts her success down to keeping things simple, maintaining a consistent line and making the stumps a constant threat to opposing batters.

“Just staying on one line and making sure that I put the Stumps into play,” she explained.

“And make sure that I make them come into play. If they don’t swing their bat into the game, I will be the one in the business. That’s the only thing I’m doing very well in this tournament.”

Rwanda will have little time to dwell on Saturday’s defeat as they turn their attention to Namibia Women on Sunday, November 8.

The match, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., will be their first morning fixture of the tournament after playing their opening two games in the afternoon.

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