Series: Uganda in Nepal May 2022
Venue: TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Format: T20I
Toss: Nepal
Result: Uganda by 12 runs
Uganda lost a wicket early and it was situation normal as they struggled to get to 40 after 10 overs. The running between the wickets was keen, aided by some indifferent ground fielding, but the going was slow. Janet Mbabazi (29) and Kevin Awino (15) pushed the scoring along but is was the former who was the more aggressive of the two and the eventual top scorer for the match.
The departure of Mbabazi brought Franklyn Najjumba (12) who didn’t last long but signalled a new intent and that carried along with Rita Nyangendo (18). Rita Musamali ended 13 not out – might have batted earlier, for she is the premier batter of the team. Seemed a waste. Best with the ball was Kabita Kunwar (2-15) aided brilliantly by Sabnam Rai with 0-6 from three overs.
Bindu Rawal and Jyoti Pandey began steadily against a fired up Ugandan pace attack. Evelyn Anyipo and Phiona Kulume extracted some good bounce from the wicket, a little unnerving for the batters, but the right/left batting combo also produced some wide deliveries.
A key strength of the Uganda game is fielding and it was that discipline that took the first two wickets, both runouts. The first of these was a direct hit from Anyipo at mid off, dismissing Bindu. Seven balls later a similar fate to Pandey, slow to back up from the non striker’s end, Musamali’s throw to the keeper too quick.
With captain Rubina and vice captain Indu at the crease, the running settled down but so did the run rate. Despite matching Uganda after ten overs (42/2) there was no equivalent acceleration and the innings meandered. Consy Aweko was brilliant with both ball and captaincy and she allowed no comfort at all for the batters.
Nepal finished with 90/9 after twenty overs. The victory margin of 12 runs might seem only slight but it felt more like 112, such was the difficulty for the home team to accelerate the run rate.
Best with the ball, Sarah Akiteng with 2-13, the captain with 2-15, and Mbabazi with 1-14 from 4 overs. The two openers, Anyipo and Kulume deserve praise for their troubling of the opening batters. Player of the match was Janet Mbabazi.
Scores:
Uganda 102/5 (Janet Mbabazi 29, Rita Nyangendo 18, Kabita Kunwar 2-15) 20 overs
Nepal 90/9 (Indu Barma 16, Sarah Akiteng 2-13, Consy Aweko 2-15) 20 overs
Player of the Match: Janet Mbabazi