Victoria Series | Matchday 5
- Rwanda 92/5 beat 74/6 by 18 runs
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls will have to wait to confirm their place in the final after suffering their second defeat in the Victoria Series.
The second round of the series has not gotten off to a great start for the hosts. After going down to Namibia on Tuesday, Rwanda inflicted a second defeat in a rain-affected game.
The rain delayed the start of the game, but with the weather permitting, both sides were given 18 overs. Uganda won the toss and decided to bowl first in the overcast conditions.
Rwanda worked hard for their runs in different batting conditions, with Gisele Ishimwe (32) anchoring from the top. Captain Janet Mbabazi (3/20), Consy Aweko (1/18), and Malisa Ariokot (1/13) were the pick of the bowlers.
Rwanda found their way to a par target of 95 in their 18 overs.
In the run chase, the Victoria Pearls failed to consolidate in the powerplay, scoring very slowly with the required rate creeping up on them.
None of the top five batters had a double-digit score, which left Uganda reeling at 37/6, and only a rare guard job from Malisa Ariokot (21) and Kevin Awino (13) ensured the margin had some respect.
The batting for the hosts still failed them in a small-total encounter, the lack of big partnerships that are crucial to carry them through key passages of play are still lacking and that is what is hurting the results.
The defeat leaves the Victoria Pearls sweating over their place in the final; they will be hoping that other results go their way to ensure they are in the Saturday afternoon game.
The hosts will have to get a good result against USA tomorrow to ensure their place in the final.
