Game 1 Summary
- Tournament: High Performance Women’s Series 2026
- Match: Uganda U19 W vs. Rwanda U19 W
- Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
- Toss: Uganda U19 W won the toss and elected to bat
Uganda U19 W Innings: 109/6 (20.0 Overs) – G. Nabulime 26 (35), M. Namiiro 19 (26), J. Arugo 12 (24); C. Umutoni 2/6
Rwanda U19 W Innings: 104/6 (20.0 Overs) – F. Utagushimaninde 59 (60), H. Keza Agahozo 14 (11); D. Nyamer 2/9, H. Naula 2/16
Result: Uganda U19 W won by 5 runs
Game 2 Summary
- Tournament: High Performance Women’s Series 2026
- Match: Rwanda U19 W vs. Uganda U19 W
- Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
- Toss: Rwanda U19 W won the toss and elected to bat
Rwanda U19 W Innings: 85/10 (18.4 Overs) – C. Uwambajimana 26 (36), F. Utagushimaninde 18 (16), D. Uwase 11 (14); M. Ariago 3/16, A. Mukite 2/16, S. Namagoba 2/18
Uganda U19 W Innings: 86/7 (19.3 Overs) – S. Tino 22 (35), R. Tikabula 21 (27), J. Ilora 17 (20); R. Uwimana 2/10, C. Umutoni 2/17
Result: Uganda U19 W won by 3 wickets
The Uganda U19 Women’s team showcased remarkable character and composure under immense pressure, pulling off two nail-biting victories over regional rivals Rwanda U19 Women in the 2026 High Performance Women’s Series at the Entebbe Cricket Ground on Sunday.
In two back-to-back low-scoring thrillers, the Baby Victoria Pearls proved their mettle in both defending a modest total and chasing down a tricky target in the dying moments of the matches.
Game 1: Nyamer and Naula stifle Rwanda in 5-run nail-biter
In the morning encounter, captain Shadia Giringish Nabulime won the toss and elected to bat first.
Nabulime led by example at the top of the order, top-scoring with a steady 26 off 35 deliveries (including two boundaries) while building an opening platform with Joyce Mary Arugo, who scored 12 off 24 balls.
Mary Namiiro kept the scoreboard ticking through the middle overs with a crucial 19 off 26 deliveries, before Joan Ilora injected quick firepower with 12 off just 8 balls – highlighted by a six – and Mercy Kongai added a brisk 11 off 9 balls.
Despite Chanceline Umutoni’s tight spell of 2/6 across two overs, Uganda posted a competitive 109/6 in their 20 overs.
Defending 109, Uganda’s bowlers faced a fierce challenge from Rwandan opener Fanny Utagushimaninde, who played a magnificent anchoring innings.
Utagushimaninde smashed four boundaries in a standout 59 off 60 balls to keep Rwanda firmly in the hunt.
However, the Baby Victoria Pearls held their nerve with disciplined bowling at the death.
Devine Gabriella Nyamer delivered an exceptional, economical spell, claiming 2/9 in her four overs (including one maiden) and taking crucial catches in the field.
Hasfa Naula provided vital breakthroughs with 2/16 in three overs, while Sarah Tino (1/20) and Mariam Biribawa (1/14) kept the pressure on.
When Nabulime caught Utagushimaninde off Biribawa in the final over, Rwanda fell just short at 104/6, sealing a hard-fought 5-run victory for Uganda.
Game 2: Lower-order resilience secures 3-wicket triumph
In the afternoon clash, Rwanda won the toss and opted to bat first, but Uganda’s opening bowlers immediately put them on the back foot.
Asha Mukite struck in the very first over, trapping Lilian Ufitinema leg-before-wicket for a duck.
Utagushimaninde once again looked dangerous, striking three crisp boundaries in an 18 off 16 balls before being caught by Naula off Rashida Tikabula.
When captain Grace Mugwaneza was sharp-stumped by Elizabeth Achieng off Naula just six balls later, Rwanda was wobbling at 21/3.
Christella Uwambajimana anchored the Rwandan innings with a patient 26 off 36 deliveries, but Mischelle Ariago delivered a devastating spell that triggered a dramatic lower-order collapse.
Ariago tore through the middle and lower order, claiming three wickets in the 16th over alone to dismiss Ruth Uwimana (5), Sonia Umuringa (0), and Marie Justine Ingabire (0).
Mukite returned to clean up Uwambajimana in the 19th over, bowling Rwanda out for 85 in 18.4 overs.
Ariago finished with brilliant figures of 3/16, supported by Mukite (2/16) and captain Sheila Namagoba (2/18).
Chasing 86 for a sweep of the day’s fixtures, Uganda suffered an early shock when opener Nabulime was bowled for a duck in the first over.
Joan Ilora (17 off 20 balls) and Elizabeth Achieng (8 off 9 balls) attempted to steady the ship, but two quick wickets from Chanceline Umutoni (2/17) and a run-out left Uganda in deep trouble at 33/4 in the seventh over.
With the match hanging in the balance, Sarah Tino and Rashida Tikabula forged the most crucial partnership of the contest.
The pair displayed immense maturity, putting on a vital 36-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Tikabula struck two boundaries in a crucial 21 off 27 balls before falling to Mugwaneza with the score at 69/5.
Despite Rwanda taking two more late wickets as Rwandan bowler Ruth Uwimana bowled an exceptionally tight spell of 2/10, Sarah Tino stood tall as the anchor.
Tino remained unbeaten on 22 off 35 deliveries – striking a vital boundary along the way – to guide Uganda across the finish line at 86/7 in 19.3 overs, sealing a thrilling three-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the tense double-header finish, morning captain Shadia Giringish Nabulime said:
On hard-fought morning victory:
“Actually, today’s win was tough. It was tough because we did a lot of misfields and we put on a very, very small score. But it was very chaseable. So, today’s win was very, very tough. It was by Allah’s grace that we had victory this early morning.”
On fielding errors and areas to improve:
“Actually, my team went wrong on the boundary fielders – they were giving two runs instead of one run. So I have to work upon that, and for the boundary fielders to be quick in their throw. And also some singles between the ring, the 30-yard, which aren’t supposed to be there.”
Head Coach Ivan Kakande also commended the team’s performance in the series so far:
On the intensity of the match and Rwanda’s challenge:
“The game was so intense on our side. The past two games, we won them comfortably, but today it wasn’t easy, given the fact that we had scored 110 runs. I think Rwanda had a plan of one of their top-order batters batting throughout – which she did, and she scored a 50, backed up by other players. That’s why they managed to put us on pressure. We pulled it off, but it was a tough one.”
On the value of high-pressure games for player development:
“I like such games because they get to test most of your players—how you handle your pressure, how the captain reacts after every over, how the bowlers react bowling stump to stump, and how the boundary fielders pull it off. So it is a good test.”
On squad rotation and building player confidence going forward:
“Going forward, in this third game, we tried to get in new players who hadn’t played. We are going to continue giving them [opportunities] in order to see that they get their confidence in terms of batting, bowling, and also fielding.”