Cricket: Etim named best fielder of T20i tourney
By Elegbede Abiodun
Captain of Nigeria’s senior female cricket team, Blessing Etim, has been named the best fielder of the just-concluded Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20i tournament in Lagos, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria emerged champions of the tourney on Sunday after beating 2022 winners Rwanda by nine runs in a frenetic final at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval on Sunday.
While feting outstanding players at the tournament after the final, Etim was named the best fielder following her outstanding displays in preventing the runs against Nigeria throughout the tournament.
Etim made four appearances for Nigeria, including an inspiring batting performance in the final against Rwanda, having been rested against the same team on match-day five.
In the four games Etim featured, Nigeria conceded an average of 68 runs.
Rwanda scooped two individual awards with Henriette Inshimwe as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while her sister, Gisele Inshimwe, was named best batter.
Sierra Leone’s Alice Fillie was awarded best bowler while fourth-place Cameroon went home with the Spirit of Cricket Award.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation organises the Women’s T20i Invitational tournament annually to commemorate the international Women’s Day celebration, and this year’s edition featured Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and hosts Nigeria.
