Blessing Etim helped Nigeria to defeat defending champions Rwanda by nine runs in a thrilling final at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Ground on Sunday, to lift the 2023 Women’s T20i invitational trophy.
The Women’s T20i Invitational tournament is held annually by the Nigeria Cricket Federation to honor International Women’s Day. This year’s edition included Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and the host nation Nigeria.
At the tournament’s post-final awards event, Etim won the best fielder award for her exceptional efforts in limiting Nigeria’s score throughout the campaign.
Etim played four times for Nigeria, including a standout batting performance against Rwanda in the final after she was rested against the same opposition on matchday five.
Nigeria gave up 68 runs on average in the four games Etim appeared in.
Henriette Inshimwe won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player title, and her sister Gisele Inshimwe was voted best hitter, giving Rwanda two individual victories at the award event in Lagos.
Alice Fillie of Sierra Leone won the best bowler award, and Cameroon, who finished in fourth place, received the Spirit of Cricket Award.
