- Namibia 72/9 in 20 overs (Mekelaye Mwatile 23, Wilka Mwatile 22)
- Victoria Pearls 72/2 in 15 overs (Immaculate Nakisuuyi 30, Esther Iloku 17)
- Victoria Pearls won by 8 wickets
The day at Lakeside Oval in Entebbe began with uncertainty as heavy rains threatened to wash out proceedings.
The downpour forced the abandonment of the third-place playoff between Hong Kong-China and Nepal, but as the skies cleared and the sun emerged, so did the determination of Uganda’s Victoria Pearls.
What followed was a clinical performance, securing a dominant eight-wicket victory over Namibia in a low-scoring contest.
Namibia won the toss and chose to bat first, but their decision quickly backfired against Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack.
Struggling to build momentum, the Namibian batters found themselves restricted to just 71 runs in their 20 overs.
Janet Mbabazi led Uganda’s charge with a stunning spell, taking 4 wickets for just 19 runs in three overs.
Consylate Aweko and Immaculate Nakisuuyi added a wicket each, while Uganda’s sharp fielding forced two run outs. Only Mekelaye Mwatile, with a gritty 23 runs, managed to resist the relentless attack.
With a modest target of 72, Uganda approached their chase with patience and precision.
Despite an early setback, Immaculate Nakisuuyi anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 off 40 balls, while Esther Iloku chipped in with a valuable 17.
The Victoria Pearls comfortably reached 72/2 in 15 overs, sealing a convincing win and asserting their dominance on home soil.
The victory not only secured Uganda’s place at the top but also reinforced its growing reputation in international cricket.
After the game one of the most consistent players for the series, a tired and happy Rita Musamali came out to push praises to her teammates and Coaches.
“I thank us, the girls have done a tremendous job despite the few set setbacks against Nepal and Hong Kong – the urge to get ourselves back up by the coaches’ help was Key! And now we can say congratulations to us,” she said.
Namibia settled for second place, while Hong Kong-China, who had been close to reaching the final, finished third with six points, two ahead of Nepal, who ended at the bottom.
Uganda’s excellence extended beyond the team triumph, with individual accolades further cementing their success.
Captain Janet Mbabazi was named the tournament’s best bowler, while Immaculate Nakisuuyi claimed the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Hong Kong-China’s Natasha Miles rounded off the honours as the tournament’s best batter.
