Rwanda batter becomes youngest women’s T20 centurion

Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20 Tournament, Lagos

Rwanda 210-3 (20 overs): Utagushimaninde 111* (65); Eshun 1-23

Ghana 88-8 (20 overs): Awuah 31 (56); Murekatete 3-20

Rwanda won by 122 runs

Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde says it was like “a dream” after becoming the youngest woman to make a Twenty20 international century at the age of 15 years and 223 days.

Opening batter Utagushimaninde made an unbeaten 111 from 65 balls on her T20 debut in a 122-run victory over Ghana at a tournament in Lagos, Nigeria.

She had reached three figures off 59 balls in the 18th over with a clip through mid-wicket off Ghana seamer Elizabeth Annor.

The teenager eclipsed the previous record held by Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who was 16 years and 233 days old when she scored a hundred against Mali in June 2019.

Utagushimaninde, who had came through a schools programme in Rwanda supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation, told BBC Sport it was slightly surreal when she reached the milestone.

“It was a special moment for me and my cricket journey. A dream to achieve it on my debut at 15,” she said.

“This shows my hard work, confidence and passion for the game. I’m grateful for the support from my coaches, team-mates and everyone around me.

“I will keep pushing myself to improve and achieve more in the future.”

Utagushimaninde’s score was also the highest by a woman on T20 debut, beating the 96 made by Australia’s Karen Rolton against England in 2005.

Rwanda coach Leonard Nhamburo added: “This record-breaking performance is a testament of the hard work and dedication she did put in.

“It’s something that Fanny earned through years of sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the game and a true testimony of how development cricket is coming through in Rwanda.”