The recently established Botswana Premier League U17s got off to an exciting start with Combined Southern Districts (CSD) Kwena on top, ahead of Combined Northern District (CND) Mkwepa on net run rate after the first round of games with Central Gaborone Tshukudu yet to play.
The first game of the league took place in Lobatse and was played between CSD Kwena and Mogobane Nkwe and, after winning the toss, Kwena captain Junaid Hafesji sent the opposition in to bat.
The scoreboard kept ticking early on as the bowlers found it difficult to find their line and length as wides helped the Nkwe opening batsmen get runs on the board and settle in.
However Otsile Molefe and Tiro Moremedi amounted 28 runs between them with score of 16 and 12 respectively. Unfortunately Kwena’s bowlers found the stride and more wickets fell and they slumped to 124 all out by the 21st over.
Opening bowler, Huzaifa Malik, who struggled at the beginning of the innings finished with impressive figures of 5 for 27 and also giving him the man of the match award.
CSD response did not get off to the best of starts as they lost two early wickets as the Mogobane bowlers hit their stride early on and were a handful.
However, Robert Tonhoro and Huzaifa Malik were able to restore some order in the innings and Kwena eventually reached their target in the 20th over with five wickets to spare.
In the second game of the BPL U17, South Gaborone (SG) Tau hosted Combined Northern Districts Mokwepa who made the journey from Francistown.
The team from the North fielded at first and put a strangle hold on the opposition and bowled them out for 117 in 32 overs.
Tharan Panchalingam Top scored with 39 runs and was well assisted by Thatayaone Tshose who scored 25.
The SG Tau looked to their lightning fast opening bowler Tshose to make inroads into the ND Mokwepa batting line up. Though he proved difficult, the batsmen weathered the storm and it was Amir Sayed who steadied the ship and saw his side to victory with a well-played 62 not out knock.
Sayed’s performance earned him the man of the match award.
The leagues next round of fixtures sees Tshukudu up against top of the Kwena in Lobatse.
