In a thrilling encounter at the Kwibuka T20I International Tournament 2024, the Victoria Pearls of Uganda edged out Nigeria by 12 runs to claim their second win of the competition. The match, held in Rwanda, saw Uganda setting a target of 97 runs before successfully defending their total against a determined Nigerian side.
Match Summary:
- Uganda: 97 all out
- Nigeria: 84/9
- Uganda won by 12 runs
The West Africans, who have triumphed over Uganda in their last three encounters, including a crucial match for the bronze medal at the African Games, won the toss and opted to bowl first. Uganda fielded an unchanged lineup from their previous victory against Botswana.
Opening the batting, Janet Mbabazi and Immaculate Nakisuyi put on a solid partnership, adding 28 runs for the first wicket. However, after Mbabazi’s departure for 19 runs, wickets began to tumble around Nakisuyi, who scored a commendable 33. Despite a resilient effort, Uganda could only muster 97 runs in their allotted 20 overs, highlighting concerns about their fragile middle order.
In response, Nigeria faced immense pressure from Uganda’s bowlers, with Sarah Walaza delivering an exceptional spell, conceding just five runs in her four overs. Her economical bowling created a chokehold on Nigeria’s top order, which fell cheaply. A middle-order fightback kept Nigeria in the hunt, but they ultimately fell short, finishing at 84/9, needing 12 more runs for victory.
This win keeps Uganda unbeaten in the tournament, joining Rwanda and Zimbabwe at the top of the standings.
Uganda’s next match is against Zimbabwe at 15:00 EAT, where they will aim to maintain their winning streak and continue their strong performance in the tournament.
Upcoming Match:
- Uganda W vs. Zimbabwe W – 15:00 EAT
With two wins under their belt, the Victoria Pearls are proving to be formidable contenders in the Kwibuka T20I International Tournament.
