ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifiers – Netherlands
Sunday, July 8
Thailand – 67/9
Uganda – 68/6 (18.1/20 ov)
Uganda’s senior women Cricket National team, the Lady Cricket Cranes registered their maiden victory at the ongoing ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifiers in Netherlands.
The side beat up on Thailand women by 4 wickets with 11 balls to spare, on Sunday afternoon at the Kampong Cricket Club in Utrecht.
Uganda had lost the opener to Scotland on Saturday by nine (9) wickets in a game that saw the team ran out with just 43 runs from 15 overs.
Coming into the game, the Cranes needed a win to put their chances of progressing back on track and luck be-fell them when they won the toss, and they opted to bat last – what a huge decision it was.
With the ball, Uganda managed to limit Thailand to just 67 runs – Immaculate Nakisuyi and Gertrude Chandiru picked two wickets each, Carol Namugenyi, Consy Aweko, Rita Musamali and Stephanie Nampiina all picked a wicket each in the team’s incredible fielding.
The side needed 68 runs to snatch the victory but nerves were there after the team were easily ran out by Scotland in the opener.
Opening Batters Rachael Ntono and Saidat Kemigisha were eliminated with just two and seven runs respectively, Rita Musamali (7), Nalule (3), Captain Kevin Awino (2) all went out with low scores as pressure started to mount.
The team had 26 runs for the fall of five wickets (26/5) in the 12th over, but Uganda was to laugh last.
With Nakisuyi and Chandiru on the crease, the pair formed a formidable partnership that brought figures on board, before the former was taken out with 21 runs from as many as the balls faced.
Chandy (15 off 19) and Franklyn Najjumba finished off the business as Uganda reached the target with 11 balls to spare.
Nakisuyi was named player of the game (Woman of the match).
Fall of wickets
Thailand:
2-1 (N Chaiwai, 1.4 ov), 2-2 (N Boochatham, 2.2 ov), 2-3 (N Chantam, 2.6 ov), 36-4 (S Tippoch, 12.5 ov), 42-5 (W Liengprasert, 13.6 ov), 53-6 (N Koncharoenkai, 16.4 ov), 60-7 (C Sutthiruang, 18.3 ov), 66-8 (S Laomi, 19.4 ov), 66-9 (S Saengsakaorat, 19.5 ov)
Uganda
5-1 (R Ntono, 2.3 ov), 19-2 (S Kemigisha, 8.4 ov), 21-3 (R Musamali, 10.2 ov), 23-4 (M Nalule, 10.4 ov), 26-5 (K Awino, 11.5 ov), 56-6 (I Nakisuuyi, 16.3 ov)
The eight already qualified teams include – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and hosts West Indies.
Uganda is competing for one of two remaining slots, as the tourney will be played by ten teams.
The ongoing qualification tourney is divided into two groups of four teams, Uganda in group B with Thailand, Scotland and Ireland, the latter is through to the semis after winning its first two matches.
Group A has Netherlands (hosts), UAE, Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh.
The top two teams from group A and B go to the semis, and the finalists will qualify to the World T20 cup in West Indies.
In the last group game, Uganda, third on the table, plays Ireland on Tuesday as Scotland will take on an already eliminated Thailand.
Uganda will now need to beat a strong Ireland side, to topple Scotland who are also expected to win their tie against Thailand.
RESULTS and Fixtures:
GROUP B
Uganda 43/10 Scotland 47/1
(Scotland won by 9 wickets)
Thailand 67/9 Uganda 68/6
(Uganda won by 4 wickets)
Thailand 92/7 Ireland 93/3
(Ireland won by 7 wickets)
Scotland 98/2 Ireland 99/1
(Ireland won by 9 wickets)
GROUP A
PNG 84/6 Bangladesh 86/2
(Bangladesh won by 8 wickets)
Netherlands 137/3 UAE 138/4
(UAE won by 6 wickets)
FIXTURES – Today
Group A
5pm: UAE vs. Bangladesh, Utrecht
5pm: Netherlands vs. PNG, Amstelveen
GROUP B
1pm: Thailand vs. Scotland, Utrecht
5pm: Ireland vs. Uganda, Amstelveen
