Tournament: T20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers – Africa
- Tanzania 121/7
- Uganda 120/5
- Tanzania won by 1 run
Uganda’s Playing XI: Janet Mbabazi (C), Rita Musamali, Stephanie Nampiina, Irene Mutonyi, Naume Amongin, Consy Aweko, Esther Iloku, Proscovia Alako, Kevin Awino, Malisa Ariokot, Immaculate Nakisuyi.
The Victoria Pearls nearly pulled off a last-ball heist against fellow East Africans, Tanzania, but it wasn’t going to be with Tanzania holding their nerve to win by one run in a thrilling game.
Uganda won the toss and elected to bat, a strange decision considering that on a flat deck and with clear blue skies, there was going to be no help for the bowlers, and a good total on the board would challenge any team.
Tanzania got out of the blocks quickly, and they tore the debutant Naume Amongin apart with her only over going for over 17 runs, setting the tone for the Tanzania innings, and only the introduction of Consy Aweko slowed down the run scoring.
The part-time spin of Immaculate Nakisuyi made up for the overs that Naume Amongin couldn’t bowl but Tanzania found their way to 121/5 from their 20 overs.
The Victoria Pearls were guilty of some sloppy fielding that allowed them to give away and missed opportunities to pick up wickets at crucial times.
In the run chase, Janet Mbabazi and Esther Iloku struggled in the power play and the pressure eventually got to the captain, who skied a simple catch that was collected by her opposite number.
Uganda failed to find second gear and batted conservatively for a long period, which took the asking rate up and eventually made the job at the end difficult.
Rita Musamali managed to find 27 runs off 15 balls that dragged the game deep and with three runs required off one ball, Uganda had a chance but Musamali failed to connect with the final ball, which handed Tanzania the win.
Esther Iloku picked the Player of the Match award for her 49 off 53 balls, a consolation for Uganda. Consy Aweko achieved the milestone of playing 100 T20i games for Uganda, to add to her 100+ T20i wickets and on her big day, she was the go-to bowler for the team when they needed someone to stop the run flow.
Tanzania got some revenge for the loss two years ago in Entebbe against the Ugandans that knocked them out of the tournament but a result that pegs them back in pursuit of a place at the Global Qualifiers.
Uganda will need to regroup quickly because they take on another East African neighbour, Rwanda, tomorrow.
