By Abii Norbert
Group B, ICC Women's World T20 Qualifier at VRA Ground, Amstelveen
Results Summary:
Uganda Women 78/8 in 20 overs (Stephanie Nampiina 16 off 22, Franklyn Najjumba 15* off 19) lost to Ireland Women 79/2 in 12.1 overs (Clare Shillington 27 off 21, Gaby Lewis 18* off 22) by 8 wickets.
Player of Match: Ciara Metcalfe 8/3 in 4 overs
Uganda will be heading back home from the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifiers after picking up their second loss in the tournament from Ireland who booked their place in the semifinals.
Ireland won the toss and elected to field first knowing that Uganda’s batting innings have all been characterized by slow run rates, a fact all they sought to exploit. Uganda’s openers have struggled with the new ball in the tournament so often that number five gets in to face the ball still in mint condition.
Ciara Metcalfe deservedly picked up the player of match award for her lethal bowling spell picking 3 wickets for 8 runs in her 4 over spell. The Irish had the game well under control as batters from one to five managed a meagre 17 runs among themselves. Immaculate Nakisuyi 12 (10) was equally hurried off the crease by Kim Garth to leave Uganda at 48/6 in 13.3 overs.
With the game all but done, Stephanie Nampiina 16 (22) and Franklyn Najjumba 15* stuck in and tried to get Uganda to a respectable score. This however proved harder than it seemed and was fruitless as Uganda eventually slumped to 78/8 in 20 overs.
With 79 runs to win as the target, Ireland were brutal in their chase getting to 31 runs for the first wicket in under 5 overs and when the second wicket fell 14 balls later, they had 53 runs. Clare Shillington 27 (21) and Gaby Lewis 18 not out put the Ugandan bowlers to the sword with fine displays of the bat.
Ireland managed a whopping 41 runs in the power play overs in comparison to Uganda’s 18. The result sees Ireland finish as group leaders and are joined with Scotland who finished second for the two semifinal spots. Uganda managed one win in the group against Thailand and unfortunately for both teams, their story at the qualifiers has drawn its conclusion.
