- Uganda-W: 95/5 in 20 overs (Iloku Esther 23, Musamali Rita 25)
- Namibia-W: 90/7 in 20 overs (Green Kayleen 29, Mwatile Wilka 27)
- Uganda-W won by 5 runs
Under the crisp, sunlit skies at the newly unveiled High Performance Cricket Oval, Uganda’s national women’s cricket team, the Victoria Pearls, held their nerve to secure a narrow five-run victory over hosts Namibia on Day 2 of the 2025 Capricorn Eagles Series.
The win marked their second consecutive triumph in the series, giving Uganda a 2-0 lead heading into a rest day on Thursday.
Despite an error-laden performance filled with dropped catches, misfields and errant throws, the Victoria Pearls showed resilience and composure in the clutch moments to defend a modest total of 95 runs with great bowling.
After losing the toss for the second day in a row, Uganda was put in to bat first. Their innings lacked momentum early on, with captain Janet Mbabazi run out for just 4 runs.
However, Esther Iloku (23) and Immaculate Nakisuuyi (19) managed to stabilize the innings. Ritah Musamali’s brisk 25 off 26 provided some much-needed acceleration but consistent pressure from Namibia’s bowlers kept the run rate in check.
Eveleen Kejarukua and Arrasta Diergaardt each picked up a wicket while the Namibian attack combined well to restrict Uganda to 95/5 from their 20 overs.
In response, Namibia’s chase looked so close yet so far as their top order faltered, starting with the early dismissal of captain Sunè Wittmann for a duck. Kayleen Green (29) and Wilka Mwatile (27) threatened to wrest control of the match but timely breakthroughs by Uganda’s bowlers, particularly Consylate Aweko (2/10) and Immaculate Nakisuuyi (1/17) kept the game on a knife’s edge.
Tight bowling in the death overs along with two key run outs tipped the balance in Uganda’s favor as Namibia fell just short, finishing on 90/7 in 19.5 overs.
Aweko led the bowling unit with a miserly spell while Sarah Akiteng and Phiona Kulume each chipped in with a wicket. Despite some fielding lapses, Uganda’s bowlers executed under pressure, defending their total with discipline and intensity.
With a 2-0 series lead, the Victoria Pearls now have a day to rest before returning to action on Friday, April 11. The momentum is firmly in Uganda’s camp as they look to defend their crown but Namibia will be eager to bounce back in front of their home crowd.
