- Namibia-W 126/6 in 20 overs (Mwatile Mekelaye 60, Diergaardt Arrasta 17)
- Uganda-W 125/10 in 19.5 overs Iloku Esther 41, Janet Mbabazi 44)
- Namibia-W won by 1 run to take 3-2 lead in the series
As we near the series finale, Capricorn Eagles Series hosts, Namibia edged the Uganda National Women Cricket team, Victoria Pearls, by just one run on Monday evening at the High Performance Centre, moving up to a 3-2 series advantage in dramatic fashion.
Despite a spirited chase by Uganda and a strong showing from key players, Namibia’s tight death bowling and composed fielding proved decisive in a match that swung back and forth under pressure.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Namibia posted a competitive 126/6 in their 20 overs. Their innings was anchored by an outstanding 60 from Mekelaye Mwatile who played the anchor and finisher role to perfection, hitting 6 boundaries and 2 sixes.
The rest of the top order faltered early with Kayleen Green and Bianca Manuel falling cheaply.
A late cameo from Arrasta Diergaardt (17*) and a blazing 8 from Wilka Mwatile helped Namibia cross the 120 mark, despite a disciplined bowling performance by Uganda. Consylate Aweko (1/12) and Irene Mutonyi (1/19) were the standouts with the ball.
In the chase, Victoria Pearls mounted a spirited chase. Esther Iloku (41) and skipper Janet Mbabazi (44) combined for a solid 56-run partnership that put Uganda in control of the game. But just as the Pearls looked poised to snatch the win, Namibia’s bowlers tightened the noose.
Arrasta Diergaardt (3/20) and Mekelaye Mwatile (3/24) returned to claim crucial wickets in the final overs, including that of the dangerous Mbabazi. Uganda lost their final 8 wickets for just 45 runs, collapsing from 80/1 to 125 all out, falling heartbreakingly short by just 1 run with one ball to spare.
The one-run victory handed Namibia the series 3-2 lead, setting the stage for the final that will see the capping off of six days in what will be expected to be a high-quality cricket exhibition between two forces in African women’s cricket.
