Evergreen Abuga hoists Kenya Ladies to inaugural tournament Finale

Veronica Abuga's half ton on her second match off the bench was the kryptonite that Kenya needed to avoid an egg on face moment when the Kenya Women's T20 tournament draws its curtains in two days' time at the Nairobi Gymkhana. Abuga earned player of the match accolades with her 49-ball 56 that was inclusive of nine boundaries to set up Kenya for the finals, departing in the 15th over with the board on 5-100. 

Kenya were stuck between a rock and a hard place going into the final fixture of the tournament, needing nothing short of a win to face off against Uganda, who had already qualified, in the tournament final. A win for either side would put them in the final, Tanzania having lost one-a-piece to their East African counterparts and Kenya losing both their fixtures to Uganda.

Kenya managed to squeeze out a two-wicket win over Tanzania with eight balls to spare, having been set what looked like an enormous 132 - run chase. The hosts looked stuck in at 2-4 after 16 balls and consequently 3-34 after 6.2 overs before Venasa Ooko (18) and Abuga put on a 54-run 4th wicket partnership before Shufaa Mohamedi had the former stumped off Mwanamvua Ushanga's first ball of the 13th over. 

Esther Wachira stitched together the middle innings with a well constructed 26 off 16 balls before her stumps were rattled by the pace of Agnes Qwele in the 18th over, with only 9 runs left to win and three wickets in hand.

Perice Kamunya was once again the stand out bowler for Tanzania with 3/16 off 3.4 overs while skipper Fatuma Kibasu scalped 2/34 off 4 overs, the centurion having bagged a golden duck in the first innings. 

Earlier, Tanzania's batters chipped in after Lavendah Idambo had their skipper trapped leg before with the first ball of the innings to arrive at 7/131 in their allotted overs. Mohamedi top scored with 36 runs off 38 balls that included five boundaries, putting on 57 runs for the second wicket alongside Saum Mtae (23.) Aisha Mohamed looked promising before being run out on 21 off 20 balls by Mary Mwangi who happened to be the pick of the bowlers for Kenya with 2/15 off her four overs.