- Uganda Women 103/5 in 20 Overs (Esther Iloku 40, Janet Mbabazi 23; Sainavi Kambalapali 2/14, Priya Ritu Singh 2/18)
- USA Women 102/8 in 20 Overs (Gargi Bhogle 23, Nikhar Doshi 22; Sarah Akiteng 4/16, Irene Mutonyi 2/9)
Uganda Women won by 1 run
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls opened their Easter T20 Cup campaign with a hard fought one run win over USA Women at Lakeside Oval, Entebbe on Thursday.
After choosing to bat, Uganda posted 103 for 5 in 20 overs, never dominant, but just enough.
Janet Mbabazi led the early effort with 23, while Immaculate Nakisuuyi (12) and Rita Musamali (15) chipped in before falling at key moments.
The innings belonged to Esther Iloku, whose calm, unbeaten 40 held things together as wickets fell around her. A late push from Malisa Ariokot helped Uganda cross 100.
USA kept things tight with Ritu Priya Singh and Sainavi Kambalapalli taking two wickets each.
In reply, USA stumbled early. Mutonyi Irene struck twice in the opening overs to leave them under pressure at 12 for 2.
Nikhar Doshi (22) tried to rebuild, but Uganda’s sharp fielding turned the game. Two run-outs, involving Malisa Ariokot and Iloku, broke USA’s rhythm just as they looked settled.
Sarah Akiteng then took control. Her 4 for 16 ripped through the middle order, putting Uganda in charge.
Still, USA fought back. Aditiba Chudasama and Maahi Madhavan kept the chase alive, taking it down to the final ball.
Needing two to win, USA fell short. Uganda held on for a one-run victory, tight, tense and a perfect start to their campaign.
The win gives the Victoria Pearls early momentum in the tournament, with action continuing later in the day as they return to the same venue to face Uganda A.
