A memorable day recorded in the Uganda cricket. Uganda appeared in the T20 World Cup for the first time. In the first match, they faced a huge defeat. While playing the match against Papua New Guinea, Uganda registered their first-ever victory in the tournament. Even if they register a narrow victory of 3 wickets some exciting performances turned the game in their favor.
Nsubuga’s Excellence:
Uganda’s entry into the T20 World Cup marked a proud moment for the nation after successfully clearing the T20 World Cup qualifier stage. However, their initial game in the tournament ended in disappointment. Nonetheless, they made a remarkable comeback in their second match, securing an impressive victory. The standout performance came from Frank Nsubuga, whose exceptional bowling prowess turned the tide in their favor.
During the match against Papua New Guinea, Nsubuga made history by delivering the most economical spell ever recorded in the T20 World Cup. With figures of 4 overs, 2 maidens, conceding only 4 runs, and claiming 2 crucial wickets, Nsubuga’s outstanding display showcased his remarkable skill and precision. Notably, when he slid one through Charles Amini’s leg stump in the 11th over, he became the second-oldest bowler to take a wicket in the T20 World Cup, followed by a dismissal of Hiri Hiri lbw, highlighting his impact on the game.
Exceptional Performance by the Bowlers:
On the 9th match of the T20 World Cup, Uganda faced Papua New Guinea Stadium at the Providence Stadium. The spectator witnessed a commendable effort from the Uganda team. Though it was a low-scoring game, the excitement never fell short. While bowling first, the Uganda set the stage on the fire. They didn’t let the PNG batters for long and restricted them to 77 runs.
Alpesh Ramjani provided Uganda with a breakthrough, claiming a wicket on just the second ball. Following suit, Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta maintained pressure on Papua New Guinea (PNG) with their pace. Kyewuta then delivered a significant blow by dismissing Tony Ura, PNG’s top run-scorer in T20Is. This series of events kept PNG on the defensive, showcasing Uganda’s prowess in maintaining pressure and taking crucial wickets.
PNG’s Batting Collapsed:
Papua New Guinea struggled from the outset of the match, failing to make a significant impact. They lost their first wicket in the opening over and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Lega Siaka and Hiri Hiri attempted to build a partnership but fell short. Siaka was dismissed after scoring 12 runs, and Hiri Hiri followed, contributing only 15 runs.
Despite Kiplin Doriga adding 12 runs, the rest of the team faltered, resulting in a total of just 77 runs. This dismal performance was a huge setback for Papua New Guinea, as they were unable to recover and mount a competitive score, ultimately leading to their downfall in the match.
Uganda’s First Win and Riazat’s Brilliance:
After restricting their opponent to just 77 runs, Uganda began their batting innings with high hopes. However, the start was far from ideal as they kept losing wickets consecutively. The team was in a precarious position until Riazat Ali Shah stepped up to the crease. Coming in at number four, Shah played a crucial and responsible innings, scoring 33 runs off 56 balls with just one boundary, stabilizing the innings.
Juma Miyagi contributed an additional 13 runs, supporting Shah’s effort. These combined efforts led Uganda to secure their first-ever win in the tournament. Shah’s calm and steady approach under pressure was instrumental in guiding Uganda to a historic victory, marking a significant achievement for the team.
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