Hard Test for Uganda at the Beginning of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifiers.
Uganda 59/7 in 20 overs. Nigeria 60/6 in 13.1 overs.
In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Uganda Baby Victoria Pearls started their final campaign for the direct slot to the 2027 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup on a low note, with a 4-wicket loss to Nigeria.
Uganda batted first and were heavily restricted to 59 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs; the score was not just low but proved impossible to defend.
In the low-scoring Uganda innings, Shadia Gilingish Nabulime top-scored with 22 runs off 34 balls, hitting two boundaries in the 18th over.
She was caught by Peace Usen off captain Christabel Chukwuonye’s bowling, having come to the crease at the end of the fifth over as the third batter, after captain Jimia Muhammad Abdallah.
The Baby Victoria Pearls captain, before being caught by Shola Adekunle, had scored 13 runs from 25 balls, including one boundary; she went on to finish as the second-best bowler for Uganda.
Uganda faced match-winning resistance from Chisom Okpe, who delivered with the best economy of 1.00, conceding just 4 runs in 4 overs and picking up 2 wickets; Anointed Akhigbe, Shola Adekunle, and Peace Usen were also effective with their bowling.
While defending, Uganda started with early hope after breaking the opening partnership in 3.2 overs, with captain Jimia Muhammad Abdallah catching Beauty Oguai off Sarah Tino’s bowling.
Despite this, Nigeria remained determined to chase the target, with Christabel Chukwuonye scoring a quickfire 13 runs from 10 balls before being bowled by Sarah Tino in 5.5 overs, but she had already inflicted damage on Uganda.
However, opening batter Omosigho Eguakun led the chase with 24 runs off 29 balls, while other Nigerian batters remained below double figures, with Inyene Umoh and Peace Usen completing the game in 13.1 overs with 6 runs each, both not out.
In Uganda’s bowling attack, Sarah Tino picked up 5 wickets but conceded 20 runs in 4 overs, with an economy of 3.25, the best for Uganda. Mariam Birabwa finished with the second-best figures, conceding 11 runs in 3 overs with an economy of 3.67 and one wicket.
Uganda will return to action in a must-win game against hosts Tanzania tomorrow, August 31, if the Pearls are to keep their hopes alive for the journey to the global stage in Bangladesh and Nepal next year.