Uganda’s Baby Victoria Pearls sealed their place in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifiers with a ruthless 10-wicket demolition of Malawi in their final group match.
The victory keeps Uganda’s World Cup ambitions firmly alive, while preserving their Net Run Rate and confirming second place in the group, ahead of hosts Tanzania.
Put into bat after winning the toss and electing to bowl, Uganda quickly dismantled Malawi’s promising start.
The hosts reached 30/1 inside seven overs, but their innings unravelled spectacularly thereafter, with the Baby Victoria Pearls bowling them out for just 44 runs.
Sarah Tino and Devine Gabriella Nyamer led the assault with identical figures of 3/7, while Sheila Namagoba added 2/2 as Uganda’s bowling attack turned the contest into a one-sided affair.
There was little drama in the chase. Captain Jimia Mohammad anchored the pursuit with 12 runs, while Gringish Nabulime struck an unbeaten 30 as Uganda raced to 46/0 inside eight overs to complete a commanding victory.
Beyond the margin of victory, the result was significant for Uganda’s qualification prospects, ensuring they remained comfortably ahead of Tanzania and maintained a healthy Net Run Rate heading into the knockout stage.
The Baby Victoria Pearls will now face Group A winners Zimbabwe in he semifinal, setting up a demanding clash against one of the tournament’s two unbeaten sides. Nigeria is the other team yet to taste defeat.
In the other semifinal, Rwanda will face Nigeria, with the stakes clear: only the tournament champion will earn a place at next year’s ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup.
