Series: Capricorn Tri-Series Apr 2022
Venue: CCD Field, Windhoek
Format: T20I
Toss: Namibia
Result: Namibia by 5 wickets

Once More the Fish Falls From the Line for Uganda

For their final match in this Capricorn Series, Uganda was once again oh so close to victory, but the Namibia fish fell off the line and escaped with a five wicket victory.

For a team that held the top three positions for most wickets in the tournament, and backed by an energetic and skillful fielding side, once again the deficiencies in the batting were laid bare for all to see.

Sent in to bat by Namibian skipper Irene van Zyl, Uganda lost just three wickets in their twenty over innings but could not shift from first gear. This is a perennial problem. With seven wickets still in the shed the team should have at least breached the century mark, but fell short with just 93/3.

The tournament’s top allrounder, Janet Mbabazi (32*), first with Rita Musamali (27) then with promising teenager Phiona Kulume (17*) did her best to lead the team to a good total but needed more urgency.

The Namibians also started slowly and this got them into trouble, first with wickets, then the climbing run rate. Uganda’s pace ace, Patricia Malemikia (1-18) asked plenty of questions and took the prize wicket of Jurriene Diergaardt for just 6. Equally troubling was Phiona Kulume (1-17).

When Wilka Mwatile was dismissed by Mbabazi in the 16th over, leaving Namibia 58/5, the required run rate had climbed to 9.00. Kayleen Green (31*) was joined by Edelle van Zyl (27*) and while no more wickets were lost, the run rate needed continued to climb. It left a massive 13 needed in the last over.

Evelyn Anyipo would bowl this final over. With boundary protection at square leg, mid wicket and long on, it was surprising that the first delivery was so wide on the off side it would have been a wide had Green not managed to hit the edge of her bat and score a boundary to third man. The next ball was equally wide and Green lofted to the unprotected cover are for another boundary. With 8 from two balls, Green had put Namibia right back in the game.

A scampered single left four to get from three deliveries, van Zyl on strike. A dot ball was followed by a heave to cow corner by van Zyl, the catch dropped and the batters back for 2 runs. Scores level, two balls to go.

Anyipo came in to bowl, the square leg umpire’s hat fell from his head. He bent down and deftly tucked it into the back of his trousers in time to see van Zyl launch into the delivery, clearing the boundary by plenty, a six to win the match. An extraordinary last over!

Namibia won the match by 5 wickets to earn second spot on the table behind Zimbabwe who they will meet in the final. Edelle van Zyl as awarded Player of the Match.

Scores:

Uganda 93/3 (Janet Mbabazi 32*, Rita Musamali 27, Phiona Kulume 17*, Sune Wittmann 1-11) 20 overs
Namibia 99/5 (Kayleen Green 31*, Edelle van Zyl 27*, Janet Mbabazi 1-8) 19.5 overs

Player of the Match: Edelle van Zyl