Team Uganda put up spirited efforts to win this year’s ICC Africa U-19 Girls’ cricket tournament on the final day – Monday at Lugogo Oval. Coach Grace Mutyagaba’s girls were never close in touch distance of winning the title until favourites Botswana lost to Tanzania by 12 runs on Sunday.
And the hosts rose up to the occasion and were clinical on the final day. They defeated Mozambique by 57 runs at Budo before beating last year’s winners Tanzania in the afternoon by just a wicket to emerge top.
Ugandan skipper Rebecca Mirembe lost the toss and Tanzania were all out for 37 runs. Only Salum Sauma scored eight runs before she was caught by Racheal Ntono (3/10). Ntono was named player of match.
The home girls chased for a loss of nine wickets but none reached double figures. Four of the nine wickets suffered were run outs while three batters were bowled out.
Uganda moved to eight points, on level with Botswana but that low score played advantage to former’s net run rate (+1.307) which in turn snatched denied Botswana (+0.968) the title.
“I am happy we won,” said Mirembe. “We played out our hearts on the today.” Mirembe, who captained Uganda to finish third in Dar- es Salaam last year, added.
“We thought we would have taken it (trophy). But i still congratulate Uganda,” Botswana captain Shameelah Mosweu said.
Botswana had beaten Uganda by seven wickets in the opening game on Saturday and they would have returned to Gaborone happiest had they not faltered against Tanzania.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
Best Bowler – Fatima Joao Guirri (MOZAMBIQUE)
Best Batter – Queentor Abel Aoko (KENYA)
Player of the Tournament (MVP) – Daisy Wairimu (KENYA)
Uganda U-19 Girls win it late
