Women’s WT20 Qualifier: Uganda Win in Low Scoring Thriller Against Thailand

BY NORBERT ABBI

Group B, ICC Women's World T20 Qualifier at Kampong Cricket Club, Utretch

Results Summary:

Uganda Women 68/6 in 18.1 overs (Immerculate Nakisuyi 21 off 21, Getrude Candiru 15* off 19 beat Thailand Women 67/9 in 20 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 22 off 37, Sornnarin Tippoch 15 off 32 by 4 wickets.

Woman of Match: Immaculate Nakisuyi (Uganda)

After miserably losing their opener to Scotland, Uganda bounced back to grab a vital win against Thailand in a low scoring thriller that could have gone either way.

Uganda won the toss, elected to field first and wasted no time in dominating the proceedings. By the end of the third over, Thailand were left bewildered at 2 for 3. For a lifeline, Nannapat Koncharoenkai 22(37) and captain Sornnarin Tippoch 15 (32) tried to steady the ship, but the innings was dominated by relentless Uganda.

Carol Namugenyi and Consy Aweko combined well to produce a bowling spell of 8 overs that had 5 maiden overs, 2 wickets and a total of 4 runs. Uganda then went on to restrict the Thais to a modest 67 in the allotted 20 overs with Getrude Candiru striking twice in two balls to bring the innings to a close.

Thailand needed to defend 67, but still seemed set for victory when a two-wicket over from Suleeporn Laomi (3/17) reduced Uganda to 26/5 in the 12th over. Then came the pair of Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Getrude Candiru who added 30 for the sixth wicket in what can be looked at as the game's defining partnership.

Nakisuyi who scooped up the player of match accolade impressed with the bat for Uganda, managing to get the game's only maximum straight down the ground. She earlier produced bowling figures of 8/2 in 2 overs to add to her impressive displays on the field.

Though Thailand have lost two from two, Ireland’s victory over Scotland in the other group game leaves them with a theoretical chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. For Uganda, even victory over Ireland might leave them dependent on net run rate. It’s all to play for as the sides head into the final round of fixtures on Tuesday 10 July.