Victoria Series
Matchday 6 Results
- Uganda 105/6 beat USA 91/9 by 14 runs
- Rwanda 59/6 beat Namibia 58 all out by 4 wickets
Saturday Fixtures
- 3rd Place Playoff: Namibia vs. USA – 9:30 a.m.
- FINAL: Uganda vs. Rwanda – 2:00 p.m.
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls recovered from two losses to ensure a place in the final of the Victoria Series after edging USA by 14 runs.
The Victoria Pearls had suffered defeats to Namibia and Rwanda, and those two defeats left them in a must-win situation against the USA to be sure of a place in the Saturday final.
USA won the toss and elected to bowl first; Stephanie Nampiina (53) scored the first half-century of the series, and she anchored the run-scoring for the hosts. Unfortunately, Uganda failed to kick on at the back end to score big runs, and they finished on a modest 105/6 in their quota of 20 overs.
In the run chase, USA started well and put pressure on the Ugandan bowlers, but once the breakthrough came at 35/1 inside 6 overs, things slowed down.
Uganda started to apply pressure with the ball, and with the required rate creeping up, the USA failed to keep up with the momentum.
Captain Janet Mbabazi (3/13) and Asumin Akurut (3/22) were the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as USA’s run chase ran out of steam with 14 runs still required for the win.
The hosts ensured their place in the final with that win on Saturday afternoon.
In the afternoon encounter, a great run of form has seen Rwanda rise from the ashes and qualify for the final with their third win of the series.
A strong second round has seen Rwanda pick up three wins in a row and set up a date with fellow East Africans Uganda.
Namibia was top of the table before the final day of the table, but they have been overtaken by both Rwanda and Uganda, both of whom needed to win to qualify for the final.
The recent bias will favour Rwanda because they defeated Uganda in the second round; Uganda will be desperate to win their own tournament.
The series will conclude on Saturday with the 3rd-place playoff in the morning before the final in the afternoon.
