Friday, September 17
Zimbabwe – 108/6
Uganda – 94 (20/20 ov)
*Zim win by 14 runs
Uganda women’s national cricket team, the Victoria Pearls, missed out on a place in the final at the ongoing 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Botswana.
Uganda lost by 14 runs against a much better Lady Chevrons of Zimbabwe on Friday in Gabarone.
Suraj Karavadra’s charges will meet Tanzania for a bronze medal match on Sunday before Zimbabwe face Namibia in the final.
The development means that Uganda misses out on the chance to advance to the 2022 ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier tournament, a priviledge that will go to the eventual champions on Sunday.
Forced in to bowl first, Uganda got off to a good start when they reduced Zimbabwe to 10/2 going into the fourth over after picking Chiedza Dhururu and Mary Anne Musonda wickets.
Despite good work from Irene Alumo and Stephanie Nampiina, Zimbabwe recovered through hard-hitting Princess Marange who came in at number 7 to post a quick 40 off 25 balls that was littered with three sixes and as many fours.
Needing 109 to storm the final, the Victoria Pearls gave away their two wickets for just 11 runs with Esther Ilukor and Rita Musamali the victims, the latter dismissed with a duck after facing just two balls.
Immy Nakisuyi (18), Racheal Ntono (14) and Proscovia Alako (12) tried to revive the chase but in vain.
Uganda needed 18 in the last over, but it proved too big of an ask for the tail enders.
Alako and Anyipo got a run each in the first two deliveries of the last over, the latter bowled on the third ball.
Consy Aweko who earlier got Marange’s big wicket, was asked again to produce magic when she joined Alako on the crease. She was caught by Musonda during the last delivery to ignite wild celebrations from Zimbabwe as Uganda cut distraught figures at the other end.
