Kigali, Rwanda | June 7, 2025 – Uganda’s senior women’s national cricket team, the Victoria Pearls, continued their dominant run at the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament with a composed 7-wicket victory over Brazil at the Gahanga A Oval, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches.
Match Summary – Game 4
Brazil: 80/9 in 20 overs | Uganda: 81/3 in 12.1 overs
Result: Uganda won by 7 wickets (with 43 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Janet Mbabazi – (4 overs, 4 wickets for 16 runs & 7 off 11)
Next Match: Uganda vs. Malawi – June 8, 10:45 AM, Gahanga A Oval
Winning the toss under a cool Kigali breeze, Uganda elected to bowl first. With tactical rotations in the lineup, Tino Sarah and Teddy Oyella made way for experienced campaigners Consy Aweko and Stephanie Nampiina.
Opening the bowling, Kevin Amuge set the tone with a tight first over, conceding just 4 runs. Phiona Kulume, unused in the previous match, bowled the second and mirrored Amuge’s effort with another disciplined over.
Despite a few missed run-out chances early on, Uganda found their breakthrough in the 5th over through a sharp run-out combination by Janet Mbabazi and wicketkeeper Kevin Awino, dismissing Laura Agatha.
Bowling changes paid off quickly. Janet Mbabazi replaced Kulume and struck immediately, trapping Lindsay Vilas Boas LBW. Brazil ended the powerplay at 24/2. Mbabazi then bowled Brazilian captain Laura Cardoso for 5 in her next over, capping a fiery spell that disrupted Brazil’s rhythm.
Brazil crossed the 50-run mark in the 14th over but struggled against Uganda’s tightening field and sharp bowling. Janet Mbabazi returned the best bowling figures of the match — 4/16 in 4 overs — and was well supported by Amuge (1 wicket) and Uganda’s energetic fielding unit, which executed four run-outs. Brazil could only manage 80/9 in their 20 overs, with just 3 runs coming in the final over.
In response, Uganda began cautiously. Openers Janet Mbabazi (7) and Esther Iloku weathered early pressure, with the first over a maiden. Mbabazi fell in the 4th over, caught at cover, bringing Immaculate Nakisuyi to the crease.
Nakisuyi counterattacked with intent, striking three boundaries in the sixth over to shift momentum. Although Iloku departed for 13 in the 9th over, Nakisuyi anchored the innings with a fluent 34 off 27 balls, guiding Uganda to a seven-wicket win with 5.2 overs to spare.
Captain Janet Mbabazi, who was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance and for reaching the elite and elusive 100 T20I wickets club where only spinner Consy Aweko sat alone, said:
“I’m very happy that I am delivering for my team and proud of helping us remain unbeaten. Winning another accolade is special, but it’s a team effort. Special thanks to Consy Aweko, Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Kevin Awino for their hard work today.”
The Victoria Pearls return to action tomorrow against Malawi at the same venue as they look to maintain their unbeaten run and tighten their grip at the top of the table.
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