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Match Result:
Uganda 75/8 in 20 overs lost to UAE 76/0 in 8.2 overs by 10 wickets
The Victoria Pearls endured a tough outing as they fell to a dominant UAE side that outclassed them in every department, cruising to a ten-wicket victory in just 8.2 overs.
UAE won the toss and opted to bowl first, and Uganda—unchanged from their previous matches—made a decent start with 6 runs in the opening over and 8 in the second.
But the innings quickly unraveled.
Esther Iloku once again fell first, in the 5th over, caught at mid-on, leaving Uganda at 27/1 after the powerplay.
The collapse began in the 8th over when Vaishnave Mahesh removed Immaculate Nakisuuyi.
Rita Musamali followed in the 9th, and Stephanie Nampiina also departed in the same over.
Stephanie Nampiina after being bowled by Mahesh
Captain Janet Mbabazi was stumped in the 10th, completing Uganda’s disastrous slide to 39/5 after 10 overs.
A maiden 12th over and just one run off the 14th further strangled the innings.
Alako was caught and bowled in the 15th, and Malisa fell LBW in the 16th as Uganda limped to 58/7.
The final over was another maiden, sealing a difficult batting performance.
Uganda eventually posted 75/8 in 20 overs, with Janet Mbabazi (16) and Kevin Awino (13*) offering the only resistance.
Uganda’s batters will reflect heavily on their shot selection and technique—several dismissals came from balls that slipped between bat and pad from the brilliant Mahesh, who finished with 3/21 in 4 overs, supported well by Michelle Botha and Heena Hotchandani who picked two wickets each.
Chasing a paltry 75, UAE was ruthless.
They scored 6 runs in the first over and 8 in the next, racing to 50/0 after the powerplay.
Skipper Esha Oza (48)* led the charge with authority, and Theertha Satish added a fluent 22 as UAE wrapped up the chase without losing a wicket.
Theertha Satish (L) while batting alongside Eza Osha (R)
Reflecting on the defeat, Victoria Pearls head coach Deus Muhumuza:
We did not show commitment and energy.
As a team we played very, very poor cricket—both batters and bowlers.
Batters gave away easy wickets, and this was a reality check; you sleep and you get hit hard.
UAE showed commitment, they bowled well, fielded well, played free cricket—and that is what is required at this level.
This loss affects our momentum and ranking, so we have to take the upcoming games seriously.
Uganda will look to regroup quickly as they return to action tomorrow morning against hosts Thailand at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok.
