Kigali, Rwanda | June 11, 2025 –The Victoria Pearls' unbeaten run at the 11th Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament came to an end in dramatic fashion with a narrow 5-run loss to Nigeria at the Gahanga Oval. Despite a fiery bowling performance led by captain Janet Mbabazi, Uganda’s chase faltered in the final overs, handing them their first defeat of the campaign.
Match Summary – Game 7
Nigeria: 73/9 in 20 overs
Uganda: 68 all out in 20 overs
Result: Nigeria won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: Amusa Kehinde – 33 runs & 1/16 in 4 overs
Next Match: Rwanda vs. Uganda – Tomorrow, June 12, 10:45 AM, Gahanga B Oval
Uganda won the toss and chose to bowl first, making one change to the playing XI with Sarah Akiteng replacing Tino Sarah. The bowlers kept tight lines from the outset, with Kevin Amuge striking in the fifth over. Consy Aweko bowled a miserly spell, including a maiden, to build pressure.
Captain Mbabazi produced a brilliant four-over spell, claiming 4/16 and leading a disciplined bowling display. Nigeria’s 73/9 owed much to Amusa Kehinde’s resilient 33, the only batter to reach double digits.
In reply, Uganda stumbled early with the loss of Mbabazi (5), and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Despite a steady 15 from opener Esther Iloku, the middle order couldn’t capitalise. Proscovia Alako and Rita Musamali were dismissed in quick succession, while Kevin Awino’s LBW in the 19th over left Uganda needing 6 runs from the final 12 balls.
With two maiden overs to finish the innings and four wickets lost in that stretch, Uganda were bowled out for 68, falling agonisingly short in a low-scoring contest during which Mbabazi won her 100thWT20I cap.
Head coach Deus Muhumuza reflected: "It’s disappointing that we lost — a defeat to Nigeria means losing ranking points — but I hope this serves as a wake-up call. We didn’t execute our plans well in the chase, but we’ll regroup and look to bounce back stronger against Rwanda tomorrow.”
The Victoria Pearls will now turn their attention to their final group match against hosts Rwanda, tomorrow, as they aim to finish strong heading into the semifinal knockouts.
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