Fiji’s women’s cricket team celebrated a significant victory, claiming their first win against France by 56 runs in the Pacific-France T20i Women’s Cricket Championship held in New Caledonia. Skipper Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga earned the ‘Player of the Match’ title for her leadership and performance throughout the game.
Fiji set a target of 115 runs, finishing their innings at 9 wickets in 20 overs. The team reached notable milestones by scoring 50 runs in 8.4 overs and achieving 100 runs by 16.5 overs. Karalaini Vakuruivalu emerged as the top scorer with 19 runs, while Akosita Poulter added 2 runs.
In response, the Fiji bowling unit dominated, restricting France to a mere 59 runs before they were bowled out in just 16.4 overs. France managed to hit 50 runs in 14 overs, but their batting collapsed rapidly as they lost all 10 wickets, with Glenda Jaine being the last player standing at only 4 runs.
This match marks a positive turnaround for Fiji, especially after earlier setbacks against Samoa and Vanuatu in the tournament, where they faced challenges to stay competitive. The Fiji women are eager to build on this success as they prepare for their next match against France in the 3rd/4th place playoff before the final showdown between Vanuatu and Samoa.
The Pacific-France T20I Women’s Championship not only provides a platform for competition but also highlights the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket in the Pacific region, offering valuable developmental opportunities for all participating teams. The future looks encouraging for Fiji, showing resilience and determination as they aim to enhance their standing in international cricket.
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