Uganda kept their hopes of reaching the 2027 ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup firmly alive after recovering from their opening defeat to Nigeria with a commanding five-wicket victory over hosts Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
The Baby Victoria Pearls dismissed Tanzania for just 41 runs in 16.1 overs before surviving a brief wobble in the chase to reach 42/5 in 9.1 overs at the Estam Oval.
The victory moves Uganda back into contention for a place in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifiers, with their fate now hinging on Wednesday’s decisive Group A encounter against Malawi.
Uganda’s bowlers and fielders laid the foundation for the victory after Tanzania won the toss and opted to bat.
Three run-outs inside the opening four overs exposed Tanzania’s early collapse, with Rebecca Martin, Suamu Hussein and Daniela Nzela all dismissed through sharp work from Uganda’s fielding unit, led by Rashida Tikabulwa, Irene Mutonyi, Mary Namiiro and Shadia Nabulime.
Michelle Ariago then underlined Uganda’s dominance with a superb spell of spin, taking 2/4 at an economy rate of 2.00. She removed Rahma Yahaya leg before wicket before having Lightness Eluid caught by Asha Mukite in the same over.
Sarah Tino, who claimed a five-wicket haul against Nigeria, once again proved influential with the ball, taking two wickets, including the dismissal of Tanzania’s leading scorer Mwanaidi Athuman for seven and Joan Jackson for nine.
Sheilah Namagoba added two wickets to wrap up the lower order, while Mariam Birabwa claimed one as Tanzania were bowled out for their lowest total of the tournament.
Uganda, however, made the chase far more difficult than the target suggested.
The Baby Victoria Pearls lost three wickets in the opening over before captain Tino also departed, while another dismissal by run-out left Uganda five wickets down inside five overs.
Tanzania’s Dorice Helment was the chief tormentor, claiming 3/… to raise hopes of a remarkable turnaround.
But Joan Ilora and Irene Mutonyi held their nerve when Uganda needed composure most.
The pair stitched together an unbeaten partnership and calmly collected the remaining runs in just 31 balls, guiding Uganda across the line in the 10th over.
With one win from two matches, Uganda must now defeat Malawi on Wednesday, September 2, and hope Nigeria beat Tanzania to strengthen their semifinal prospects.
The bigger objective remains qualification for the 2027 ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Nigeria currently sit atop Group A with two wins from two, while Uganda and Tanzania have one victory apiece. Malawi are yet to register a win. In Group B, Zimbabwe lead the standings after victories over Kenya and Rwanda.
