Uganda secured a slot into the finals of the Victoria Series following their nervy 3-run win against Tanzania on Friday.
It was Victoria Pearl’s third win of the tournament and they remain the only unbeaten team in the event.
Poor batting from Uganda
After losing the toss, Uganda were sent to bat, and they put on board 79 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Kevin Awino and Proscovia Alako opened the batting for Uganda in a game that was reduced to 15 Overs due to a delay that was caused by the morning rains.
Awino scored 27 runs off 24 balls, but Alako with only 3 runs was the first wicket to fall after being caught by Shufaa Hamza from the bowling of Perice Zakayo.
Aside from Awino, only Rita Musamali with 13, and Immaculate Nakisuyi (10) scored in double figures.
It was some poor batting from Uganda, but thanks to their mean bowling, they managed to defend the score.
Tanzania’s threat
Tanzania were a wicket down inside powerplay and it was opener Saum Godfrey Mtae who was bowled by Aweko.
Evelyn Anyipo then sent the side’s captain Fatuma Omary Kibasu packing in the 7th Over before Huda Mrisho Omary also being picked in the tenth Over.
The competition from both sides was admirable, and Tanzania kept Uganda at bay for the Overs that followed until the spin of Aweko returned in the 13th Over.
With the fourth, fifth, and sixth balls in that Over, Aweko picked a hat-trick of wickets.
The game though was still anyone’s to take as the board read 16 runs from 12 balls.
The final over arrived and Janet Mbabazi was given the honours to bowl it. It started terribly with Perice Zakayo hitting a four.
However, Mbabazi immediately made amends as she sent Zakayo back to the dugout. She went ahead and dismissed two more and it was game down.
Cricket Cranes captain Brian Masaba (in yellow) was in the crowd.
Despite the loss, Tanzania qualified for the final. The two will meet again on Sunday to determine the tournament winner.
In the afternoon game, UAE won by 60 runs against Rwanda. UAE are done with their games, but Rwanda will play Tanzania today in the afternoon.
The East African derby between Uganda and Kenya was washed out by the morning rains which left the Lugogo Oval not safe.
By: Rose Agwang
