Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular Series
Thursday, April 27
•Hong Kong 68 all out
•Uganda 72/7
*Uganda W won by 3 wickets
Saturday, April 29
*Uganda W 🇺🇬 v UAE W 🇦🇪 – 10:30 EAT
*Uganda W 🇺🇬 v Namibia W 🇳🇦 – 15:30 EAT
Uganda’s Victoria Pearls secured their first victory at the Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular Series thanks to their exceptional bowling that restricted Hong Kong to 68 runs all out at the United Grounds in Windhoek, Namibia.
Team captain Consy Aweko as usual led from the front! The spinner picked up 3 wickets including the first one that went with her fourth ball. Janet Mbabazi and Evelyn Anyipo each with two were the other bowlers that had wickets to their names. Like Aweko, the two each picked their first wickets in their first Overs.
Sarah Akiteng did not dismiss anyone, but she had the best economy of 2.25 after conceding just 9 runs in her four Overs. Opening bowler Irene Alumo conceded 14 same as Anyipo, Mbabazi 16 while Aweko conceded 10. There were three run-outs all involving wicketkeeper Kevin Awino.
It was a job well executed by both the bowling and fielding units, but Uganda were once again faced by their problem- batting. It appeared like Hong Kong had read from the same script, because by the time the board was reading 7 Overs in the second Innings, Uganda were five wickets down already.
The Victoria Pearls at this stage had a reasonable number of runs (47). The chase surely seemed a done deal; Infact at some point, Uganda needed 22 runs from 74 balls! This from a person just passing by, would’ve declared Uganda winners. But no, it was not over yet. The rate at which the wickets were falling, whoever was watching knew it was an uphill task for the East Africans to accomplish the chase.
Uganda will have Phionah Kulume who walked in to bat at number seven to thank. Aweko’s team needed someone to just stay on that crease and, that’s what the bowling all-rounder did.
Kulume faced the most balls 21 and recorded 15 runs not out. Mbabazi with 11 and Rita Musamali with 10 were the other batters that scored in double digits.
In the end, Uganda chased the score with 6 good Overs left untouched. But once again, Proscovia Alako was dismissed for a duck after facing just one ball. Like Alako, Stephanie Nampiina was also ducked while Awino put on board 5 runs. Immaculate Nakisuyi got 6, Aweko 2 while Anyipo managed 4.
Uganda mostly benefited from Hong Kong’s poor bowling. The side gave out 19 extras including 14 wides.
Uganda who lost their opening game to UAE by 50 runs on Tuesday will return to action on Saturday in a double header that will see them face UAE in the morning game, and hosts Namibia in the afternoon game.
