Kenya U-19 girls cricket team wins promotion after dominant campaign in Uganda
Kenya Under-19 women’s cricket team players celebrate after winning the 2927 International Cricket Council U-19 Women's Twenty20 World Cup Division Two qualifiers in Entebbe, Uganda, on March 14, 2026.
Kenya Under-19 women’s cricket team is basking in glory after clinching the 2027 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Division Two qualifiers title in Uganda on Saturday.
Beyond the triumph, Kenya also secured promotion to the Division One qualifiers. The team also dominated the individual awards in the tournament played at Entebbe Cricket Oval. Captain Melvin Khagoitsa emerged player of the tournament, Zainabu Hamisi was the best batter, while Stella Rodgers was the best bowler.
Malawi, Mozambique, Cameroon and Sierra Leone are the other teams that competed in the Division Two qualifiers held from March 8 to 14.
To clinch the title, unbeaten Kenya, coached by former international Maurice Ouma, crushed Malawi by 42 runs in their last match of the campaign at Entebbe Cricket Oval on Saturday.
Having won all four of their matches, Kenya topped the standings with an impressive eight points, followed by Malawi on five points.
Malawi also booked a ticket to the Division One qualifiers, where Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda are awaiting. The Division One qualifier matches will be held in September.
“The young Cubs have made us proud, and it is a privilege to be the coach of this young, talented group of enthusiastic cricketers that mind nothing but taking on the field, wearing the green, black and red jersey and representing their country with so much honour and pride,” said Ouma. In the title-decider encounter, Kenya set a target of 112 runs for the loss of two wickets in 20 overs of their innings.
Malawi, who had elected to field first after winning the toss, were restricted to 70 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs of their innings. Khagoitsa produced an impressive performance with the ball to be named the Player of the Match for the third straight time.
She picked four wickets in four overs, where she conceded eight runs.
Previously, Khagoitsa was named Player of the Match in the encounters against Cameroon and Sierra Leone, which Kenya won by 126 runs and six wickets, respectively.
Against Cameroon, Khagoitsa starred with 71 runs off 59 balls.
She also took the most wickets at three in three overs, padded with two maidens. In their match versus Sierra Leone, she was not out after coming in as the third batswoman, stroking 19 runs from 24 balls. In claiming the Player of the Tournament award, Khagoitsa shone with a total of 128 runs and nine wickets.
Kenya had started their campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Mozambique, with Rodgers named the Player of the Match after she picked four wickets in 3.2 overs, where she conceded 14 runs. She clinched the Best Bowler award after picking a total of seven wickets in four innings, while Hamisi was named the Best Batter after delivering a total of 110 runs in four innings and hitting nine fours.
Kenya have yet to qualify for an ICC Women's World Cup.
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