Namibia’s national women’s cricket team, the Capricorn Eagles got off to a losing start on their UAE tour when they sufferd a 19-run defeat against UAE in Dubai yesterday.
After electing to bat UAE scored100 for seven wickets off their 20 overs and then restricted Namibia to 91/7 to complete a comfortable victory.
UAE opening batter Theertha Satish was the mainstay of her team, batting throughout the innings to remain unbeaten on 54, which came off 53 balls and included three fours.
The only other batter to get double figures was Khushi Sharma (10), but Namibia’s cause was not helped as they conceded 19 extras.
Victoria Hamunyela was Namibia’s top bowler, taking two wickets for 19 runs.
In reply, Namibia lost the wickets of Arrasta Diergaardt (4) and Yasmeen Khan (10) quite early, but captain Irene van Zyl and Wilka Mwatile (19) put them back on track with a 30-run partnership, before Van Zyl was dismissed for 18.
Merczerly Gorases joined Mwatile and gave Namibia hope as they took the total to 63, but three wickets in nine balls put UAE in charge, as Mwatile (19), Gorases (9) and Sylvia Shihepo (3) were all dismissed in quick succession.
Further down the order Kayleen Green added 10 not out, but she received little support as the team fell 19 runs short of the target.
The two sides will play five more T20 internatonals, from today till 3 October.
Marlize Horn of the Capricorn Group, meanwhile, reaffirmed their support of the team at a farewell function last Friday.
“Capricorn Group thrives in creating positive change in our communities, and hope that our continued support of women’s cricket in Namibia will nurture the sport and increase female participation. Since our partnership with the Capricorn Eagles started in June 2021, the team has made great strides in local and international tournaments. We are proud to be associated with these inspirational women,” she said.
In August, Capricorn Group, in collaboration with Capricorn Asset Management and Capricorn Private Wealth, officially extended its partnership with Cricket Namibia for a third year. The renewal of the sponsorship agreement reaffirms Capricorn Group’s steadfast support for Namibia’s national women’s cricket team, officially known as the Capricorn Eagles and their continuous commitment to advancing girls’ and women’s cricket in Namibia.
“The remarkable strides achieved by the Capricorn Eagles, guided by Cricket Namibia, fill us with pride. The growth and development we have witnessed are evidence of strong leadership and the strategic application of resources. We remain committed to our community, as we firmly believe that the investments we make today will yield positive outcomes for Namibian girls and women in the future. We wish the Capricorn Eagles all the best as they depart to Dubai for the T20 International League. We know that they will make us proud and fly the Namibian flag high,” Horn said.
