Uganda’s Victoria Pearls defeated Kenya by 8 wickets in their last group game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers to set up a semifinal clash with Zimbabwe.
The pearls played this game at the Namibia cricket ground; the first time they were playing at this ground in the tournament.
Coming off an 8-wicket win against Rwanda in their previous game and Rwanda losing to Tanzania by 18 runs in the morning game, this must-win game for Uganda was theirs to lose.
Here is a breakdown of how it all went down as Uganda pulled off another 8-wicket win to finish number 2 in group B with 4 pts and progress to the semifinals.
Playing IX
The Technical bench made no changes to the team that defeated Rwanda, keeping the same lineup because if it ain’t broken, why fix it.
Janet Mbabazi (C). Esther Iloku, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Rita Musamali, Stephanie Nampiina, Kevin Awino (Wk), Prosscovia Alako, Malisa Ariokot, Irene Mutonyi, Consy Aweko, Sarah Akiteng
TOSS
Uganda won the toss and elected to field against Kenya. Skipper, Janet Mbabazi, attributed has decision yet again to the strong winds that had marred the day, saying she wanted to try and use the wind to her side’s advantage. I think it was the right call because it worked out for the side.
BOWLING
The bowling was good for most of the innings, challenged only by Venasa Ooko who scored a maximum and 5 boundaries; and Esther Wachira who also got away with a boundary.
In this game, Uganda also gave away 7 runs in extras; coming from zero extra runs in the previous game, which was a step backwards; but the consolation is, 7 is way less than 19; so it’s still a better performance.
Irene Mutonyi
Bowled 3 overs, 18 runs conceded, 6.00 Economy
Mutonyi yet again opened the bowling for Uganda; she has been the go-to opener in this particular tournament, and she has done pretty well. From all three games she has played, this is where she has conceded the most. She had a very good first over, going for only 2 runs but her second over was a challenge as Mary Mwangi punished her full balls for boundaries, conceding 10 runs in that particular over. The third over went for 6.
Compared to the other two games, this was a challenging outing for her but still a decent bowling spell.
Consy Aweko
Bowled 4 overs, 2 wickets, 1 maiden over, 12 runs conceded, 3.00 Economy
Talk about early breakthroughs; Aweko got her first wicket on her first ball; then off her bowling came a run out in the 3.5 over. This happened in the power play and somehow set the tone for the game from there on, putting pressure on the Kenyan batters. Apart from that boundary from Wachira, Aweko delivered to expectation, and that wicket maiden over was the icing on the cake.
Janet Mbabazi
Bowled 3 overs, 26 runs conceded, 8.66 Economy
I want to say this was a bad bowling spell because clearly conceding 8.66 runs per over is not a good one. Mbabazi and Nakisuuyi gave away the most runs in this game. But the captain is a batting all-rounder and she delivered with the bat, so we shall let this one go.
That said, on good days, even while swallowing runs, the captain is able to get wickets, which makes it somehow okay.
Immaculate Nakisuuyi
Bowled 4 overs, 1 wicket, 26 runs conceded, 6.50 Economy
Nakisuuyi came into the attack during the power play and was welcomed with a well-executed shot from Wachira that went for a boundary. Nakisuuyi later on in the innings bowled out Wachira – tit for tat is a fair game, they say.
Nakisuuyi’s bowling was also punished by the talented Venasa Ooko, but generally, for a part-time bowler, she did okay; mainly she got a wicket and that’s what matters.
The other thing she suffered an injury during her bowling spell, which may have affected her ability, especially in last bowling overs.
Sarah Akiteng
Bowled 4 overs, 1 wicket, 1 maiden over, 13 runs conceded, 3.25 Economy
Akiteng had a good outing in this game; she used her left arm spin in the best way possible. Apart from the two wides, she did the most to keep her lines, the timing and the deliveries tidy in all four overs. Even the explosive Ooko could only get singles off her bowling.
Stephanie Nampiina
Bowled 1 over, 7 runs conceded, 7.00 Economy
Nampiina did better this time than in the previous games, which is a plus for her. She was unfortunate, though, as she faced Ooko, who was on a mini-run scoring rampage. Ooko managed to get a boundary off her bowling.
Malisa Ariokot
Bowled 1 over, 1 wicket, 1 run conceded, 1.00 Economy
This was her first time bowling in this tournament, and she didn’t disappoint. She conceded only one run and got a wicket for Uganda. Funny thing her penultimate ball went for a leg bye for Jemimah Ndanu and the last ball, she bowled her out. The beauty of cricket.
FIELDING
The innings had 4 run outs and Kenya was for 8 at the innings break. A clear sign that this time there was better intent in the field, more awareness and readiness to do the needful; block runs, effect run outs, etc. The fielders also looked more coordinated. The field set was on point this time too; there were very few gaps.
The team should keep this up, tighten the loose ends. Especially against Zimbabwe, how they control the field will be key in winning the game.
WICKET KEEPING
Let’s give Kevin Awino her flowers; she has been consistent all through the games, and yesterday was no exception. From the awareness, quick reflexes, clean executions and the overall way she bossed the wicket in different ways, she deserves her flowers.
BATTING
The best day Uganda has had in the batting department with the top order delivering and closing off the game without troubling the middle order and tail enders. The captain’s knock was the cherry on top.
Kenya’s fielding was also abysmal, which worked well for the Ugandan side.
Janet Mbabazi
Unbeaten 63 runs off 61 balls, 9 boundaries, 103.27 Strike rate
Best day for the skipper on the crease, she anchored her side to victory with that unbeaten 63 and for her as a person first time to get a T20i 50; a much-deserved milestone.
Though she started slowly in the power play, she soon settled in, slowly gained momentum till the end.
What did she do differently this time? Like in the Rwanda game, she came out ready to express herself with every delivery which paid off. Her shot selection and timing were better, then where she needed to run, she did. She also took each delivery as it came, not just hitting the ball because it had reached.
A good run for the batting all-rounder skipper, congratulations and keep building on that.
Esther Iloku
15 runs off 26 balls, 2 boundaries, 57.69 strike rate
A back foot performance for Iloku, but I liked her intent to take the big shots; though she came short and she was caught trying; I think if she puts in more work she will get there.
Immaculate Nakisuuyi
4 runs off 7 balls, 57.14 strike rate
I will cut Nakisuuyi some slack here. After the first innings injury, I didn’t think she was fit enough to even bat, but she came out there and put in a shift. She left the crease early and gave way to Musamali who joined the captain to finish the game.
Rita Musamali
Not out, 21 runs off 18 balls, 2 boundaries, 116.66 strike rate
In all the batters, she has been the most intentional and hungry batter every time she has been on the crease. She comes on the crease and all she does is keep the scorers busy, whether with singles or maximums; she just adds runs to the board. Same mentality she had against Kenya, and still paying off.
Generally, Uganda was a better side in all departments. Now going up against another familiar opponent but superior, in the semifinals, Uganda will need to triple its efforts, but mostly not leave anything to chance, because Zimbabwe will be seeking to capitalise on any slip-ups.