Zambia saw off Rwanda 151 to 143 in the T20I series at the Three Nations tournament in Malawi on Wednesday. The hosts had taken the previous encounter 144 to 142 the day before, but this time the visitors held their nerve. Rwanda finished second on six points from six games, while Zambia moved clear at the summit with seven from five matches.
That victory extended Zambia's unbeaten run to two, though they still trail on head-to-head merit after dropping two of their first five fixtures. The win keeps them a point ahead of Rwanda, who have played one more game and will need to close the gap if they want to challenge. Three nations, three teams, and the table says exactly what the results show.
Rwanda had looked sharp in their last outing, edging Malawi by a single run in a nail-biting finish. They followed that with a comfortable win over Zambia in the opener, but this match told a different story. The hosts were left exposed in the closing stages, and Zambia picked up the win they needed.
For Zambia, the result came after a heavy 151-run defeat to Malawi on Tuesday. They had also lost that day's first match 142 to 144 to Rwanda, so this reply was timely. Two losses in as many days, then a victory to steady the ship. The format rewards resilience, and they showed it here.
The series has produced tight finishes across the board. Rwanda's recent record includes wins over Botswana and Sierra Leone by narrow margins, while Zambia have seen both high-scoring defeats and hard-fought victories. This match fits the pattern — close, competitive, decided by a handful of runs.
With one more game left to play at this stage, the standings remain fluid. Rwanda need to win out to stay in contention, while Zambia can only strengthen their position. The final day will tell whether this was a statement or merely a stepping stone.