- Rwanda W 115 all out
- Uganda W 116/2
- Uganda won by 8 wickets
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls kept their playoff chances alive with a thumping eight-wicket win against Rwanda at the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Africa Qualifiers.
Uganda needed to win the game to keep their chances in the tournament alive, and for Rwanda, a win against a familiar enemy would take them into the playoffs.
Uganda made one change to the playing XI with Naume Amongin making way for left arm spinner Sarah Akiteng.
Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat first. Consy Aweko made an early breakthrough, removing the dangerous Diane Marie Bimenyimana but Gisele Ishimwe (41) led the charge for the Rwandans and her partnership with Henriette Ishimwe (36) put the pressure on the bowling for Uganda until both of them departed.
Uganda was exceptional in the final overs, ensuring that the Rwandan tail didn’t wag, and eventually bowling them out for 115 in 19.5 overs.
The young Irene Mutonyi was outstanding with the ball at the backend with 2/18 in her three overs with support from Consy Aweko (2/21), Janet Mbabazi (2/22) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (2/20).
In the run chase, Uganda lost Esther Iloku early. Janet Mbabazi (17) and Immaculate Nakisuyi struggled to find the gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking until the pressure led to Mbabazi’s wicket being lost.
Rita Musamali (47 not out) and Nakisuyi (43 not out) took control of the game with some aggressive running between the wickets and risky shot selection that deflated Rwanda’s resilience, coupled with some sloppy fielding.
Uganda ripped benefits and cruised to an eight-wicket win inside 17 overs.
The win moved Uganda into second place, and left the group wide open with one round of group games left.
Uganda will be facing Kenya, while table leaders Tanzania will take on Rwanda.
Tanzania has two wins so far in the tournament while Uganda and Rwanda have won just one game each. If both Uganda and Rwanda lose, it could come down to net run rate while Tanzania will only need to take care of Rwanda to finish as group leaders.
Uganda only need to guarantee itself a place in the playoffs and will need a favour from Rwanda if they are to finish as group leaders.
The teams take a break tomorrow, and the action will return on Wednesday.
