Eswatini vs Mozambique, 2nd T20I (September 12, 2025)
Summary:
Eswatini triumphed over Mozambique in a thrilling contest, winning by 5 runs at the Malkerns Country Club Oval. Adil Butt's explosive half-century set the stage for Eswatini, while Lourenco Salomone's brilliant 79 for Mozambique fell short of securing victory. Emerson Ndzeute's 3-wicket haul was a standout bowling performance, and Adil Butt was named Player of the Match for his all-round contributions.
Match Highlights
First Innings: Eswatini – 165 all out (19.2 overs)
- Top Scorer: Adil Butt smashed a blistering 53 off just 18 balls, including 7 sixes and 2 fours, with a strike rate of 294.44.
- Other notable contributions came from Minhaj Kulfiwala (21 off 19) and Hujeifa Jangariya (21 off 17).
- Eswatini's innings saw a quick start but lost momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
- Bowling Highlights for Mozambique:
- Emerson Ndzeute was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs.
- Manussur Algi (2/15 in 3 overs) and Agostinho Navicha (2/24 in 3 overs) provided excellent support.
- Julio Chicuele contributed significantly in the field with 3 catches and a run-out.
Second Innings: Mozambique – 160/7 (20 overs)
- Top Scorer: Lourenco Salomone played an outstanding knock of 79 off 49 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and 2 sixes, with a strike rate of 161.22.
- Contributions from Jose Joao (16 off 16) and Agostinho Navicha (19 off 15) kept Mozambique in the hunt.
- Mozambique fell just short despite a valiant effort in the chase.
- Bowling Highlights for Eswatini:
- Haris Rashid bowled a tight spell, taking 1 wicket for just 15 runs in his 4 overs (economy rate: 3.8).
- Umair Qasim, Adil Butt, and Mancoba Jele each chipped in with a wicket.
Key Performances:
- Player of the Match: Adil Butt for his explosive 53 runs and key wicket.
- Batting Stars:
- Adil Butt (53 off 18) for Eswatini.
- Lourenco Salomone (79 off 49) for Mozambique.
- Bowling Stars:
- Emerson Ndzeute (3/21) for Mozambique.
- Haris Rashid (1/15) for Eswatini.
- Fielding Excellence: Julio Chicuele was a standout with 3 catches and a run-out.
Turning Points:
- Adil Butt’s Explosive Start: Eswatini’s innings was powered by Butt's rapid 53, which laid a strong foundation.
- Mozambique’s Fightback with the Ball: Emerson Ndzeute and Manussur Algi restricted Eswatini with crucial wickets.
- Lourenco Salomone’s Heroics: His 79 kept Mozambique in the hunt, but lack of support from the middle order proved costly.
- Tight Final Overs: Eswatini’s bowlers, especially Haris Rashid, held their nerve in the death overs to secure a narrow win.
Interesting Statistics:
- Strike Rates: Adil Butt's 294.44 strike rate was the highest of the match.
- Economical Bowling: Haris Rashid's economy rate of 3.8 was the best in the game.
- Run-outs Galore: Both teams displayed sharp fielding, with 4 run-outs in the match.
Eswatini’s narrow win showcased their resilience and ability to defend a modest total, setting up a thrilling contest for fans.
