Uganda’s Victoria Pearls Women’s Cricket Team made it three wins in as many games at the Kwibuka Women’s T20 tournament.
The hard-fought 5-wicket win over Nigeria at the Gahanga Cricket Oval on Monday followed a poor fielding display.
The Pearls after winning the toss, and sending Nigeria to bat first let the West African nation score 100 runs.
Their wanting effort in the first innings saw the easy score on the board turn into a scare during their chase.
Nigeria went about their business in the first five Overs meanly, and despite not picking a wicket in those Overs, they gave Uganda only 18 runs.
And in the four Overs that followed, the ladies in green squeezed the East African nation, picking three wickets in those Overs.
Once again it was Proscovia Alako who was sent back to the dugout first when she was caught in the last Over of PowerPlay.
Janet Mbabazi and Rita Musamali then followed both caught as well. The former’s wicket fell in the 9th Over while the latter was dismissed in the tenth one.
Nampiina and Nakisuyi save the day
But thanks to Stephanie Nampiina and Immaculate Nakisuyi, the game swung back to Uganda who are considered the favourites to win this competition.
Nakisuyi, partnering with her best friend scored a quick 31 which was the highest score for any Ugandan player.
With her 22 not out, Nampiina stuck to the wicket to see Uganda through to the finish line.
The Jinja SS player won the Player of the Match award for not only her batting, but also her bowling.
She got the most wanted wicket of Esther Sandy who had a half-century of 52 runs that included two sixes and as many fours.
Evelyn Anyipo and team captain Consy Aweko were the team’s best bowlers. Anyipo claimed two wickets while the skipper had one.
But with fewer runs conceded (12), opener Irene Alumo was the other bowler with a wicket.
The result means Uganda remains the only side in Rwanda yet to taste defeat. They return to action on Wednesday against Botswana.
Courtesy Photos
