- Result: Uganda 112/4 beat Hong Kong China 109/4 by 6 wickets
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls got off the mark in the Capricorn Series in Namibia with a morale-boosting six-wicket win against Hong Kong China.
The Victoria Pearls won the toss and elected to bowl first. Sarah Walaza returned to the playing XI from her maternity leave and showed no signs of rust with a fine display; she gave away only 15 runs in her quota of four overs and picked up a wicket as well.
Hong Kong China captain Natasha Miles (45) led from the front, with support coming from Jasmine Daswani (39), both frustrating the Ugandan bowlers with some nice stroke play.
Sarah Akiteng bowled well under pressure, especially when Hong Kong China looked like they wanted to get the move on. Consy Aweko (1/24) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (1/27) were the other wicket takers during the first international game for the Victoria Pearls in a while.
In the run chase, the new opening combination of Stephanie Nampiina and Captain Janet Mbabazi (24) never got going, but Proscovia Alako (39) combined well with her captain to ensure that the required rate never got ahead of the Victoria Pearls.
The wickets of Janet Mbabazi and Rita Musamali slowed the chase, but in the end, Alako’s power proved the difference as the game seemed to be going down to the wire. Alako, batting in the top three, is a clear indication from the Victoria Pearls of their intent in the power play; her power can destroy any bowling attack in the World on her day.
Irene Mutonyi, Asumin Akurut and Jimia Mohammed didn’t feature for the Victoria Pearls today, but they should get a run out in the remaining five games.
The Victoria Pearls will take on hosts Namibia on Wednesday, July 22 in their second game of the series.
The Victoria Pearls got over the line in a comprehensive six-wicket win that ensured that they start on a winning note. The series also features hosts Namibia and Tanzania, and Uganda has the mark on its back since it’s the highest-ranked team in the tournament.
