By 
Match Result:
Uganda 117/4 in 20 overs beat Papua New Guinea 113/7 in 20 overs by 4 runs
The Victoria Pearls survived a fierce late surge to overcome PNG by just four runs in a match that nearly slipped from their grasp.
Uganda won the toss and opted to bat first—their first time setting a total in this tournament.
The unchanged side made a steady start, reaching 5 without loss in the opening over.
Esther Iloku fell in the fifth, bowled attempting a back-foot punch, but Uganda pushed to 32/1 after the powerplay and 57/1 at the halfway mark.
For the third time this tournament, Immaculate Nakisuuyi (20) fell to a catch but this time at backward point, bringing in Rita Musamali in the 13th over.
Uganda was 86/2 after 15, before Musamali departed to a soft caught-and-bowled.
Led by a superb captain’s knock from Janet Mbabazi—an unbeaten 60 off 50 balls—Uganda added 31 in the final overs to post 117/4.
Janet Mbabazi lifted her bat after bringing up a half century in the game
Stephanie Nampiina added a valuable 13 before being runout.
Uganda’s bowlers began tightly, giving away only two in the first over.
Consy Aweko struck in her second, and PNG were held to 21/1 after six and 38/1 after ten.
The momentum shifted in the 11th over as PNG smashed 14, then accelerated again when Aweko’s 15th over went for 16, taking them to 84/3.
PNG needed just 25 from 24, but the returning Kevin Amuge changed the script.
She removed Brenda Tau (23) and bowled Isabela Toua next ball, swinging the game back. With 17 required off 12 and later 13 off 6, Mbabazi took the ball for the final over.
The first two deliveries went for six runs, but on the third she trapped Pauke Siaka (39 off 23) LBW, restoring belief.
Mbabazi’s calm finish earned her Player of the Match honors, backed by her match-defining 1/14 in two overs and a catch at Long on that dismissed Henao Thomas (27)
Janet Mbabazi after receiving the player of match accolade
Uganda held their nerve to seal their first win of the tournament.
Despite the victory, the Victoria Pearls were not flawless.
Misfields and overthrows kept PNG alive, but the batting finally clicked, and the team continues to adjust to Thailand’s conditions.
Head coach Deus Muhumuza said the team must stay grounded:
“We still have a lot of work to do.
It’s not about skills—we’ve been in similar situations.
It’s more of complacency, failure to handle pressure, and the fighting spirit.
But I’m glad we won today, and we can build on this momentum.”
In the other matches, the Netherlands beat Tanzania by 7 wickets, Thailand beat Namibia by 27 runs, and Scotland defeated the UAE by 7.
Tomorrow is a rest day before Uganda return on Tuesday against the UAE at Asian institute Cricket ground, carrying forward much-needed confidence.
