Uganda Women held their nerve in a gripping finish to register a five-run victory over Tanzania Women in the 5th match of the Women’s T20 Quadrangular Series in Namibia at the High-Performance Oval, Windhoek. After Tanzania Women opted to field first, Uganda Women overcame a few early setbacks to post a competitive 132/6 in 20 overs, before their disciplined bowling attack and sharp fielding restricted Tanzania Women to 127/8, despite a determined chase that went down to the final overs.
Uganda Women endured an early blow when captain Janet Mbabazi was run out for 8 off 12 balls, leaving the side at 26/1 in the fifth over. However, before the dismissal, Mbabazi and Stephani Nampiina had stitched together a 26-run opening partnership, providing a steady platform. Nampiina then combined with Proscovia Alako to add just 13 runs for the second wicket before Nampiina was trapped lbw by Perice Kamunya for 15 off 21 deliveries, which included one boundary. Uganda slipped to 39/2 and Tanzania sensed an opportunity to seize control.
Alako responded positively with an aggressive knock of 20 from just 17 balls, striking three boundaries. Alongside Rita Musamali, she added 20 runs for the third wicket to rebuild the innings. Just as the partnership was beginning to flourish, Maria Massawe dismissed Alako at 59/3. Musamali then anchored the innings with a composed 37 off 36 balls, laced with five boundaries, while Esther Iloku chipped in with 5 runs, the pair adding 17 runs for the fourth wicket before Iloku was run out.
Musamali continued to hold one end and found excellent support from Immaculate Nakisuuyi, who injected much-needed momentum into the innings. The duo put together the most significant stand of Uganda’s innings, a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting the scoring rate during the death overs. Musamali eventually departed for 37 with the score reading 112/5, but Nakisuuyi carried on with a fluent 33 off just 21 deliveries, smashing two fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 157.14. She was supported by Malisa Ariokot (3*) and Phiona Kulume (1*), who remained unbeaten as Uganda closed on 132/6. Uganda also benefited from 10 extras, giving them valuable additional runs.
Tanzania’s bowlers shared the workload effectively despite the late acceleration. Perice Kamunya was the standout performer with 2 wickets for 14 runs in four overs, maintaining excellent control throughout her spell. Maria Massawe also picked up 2/31, while Nasra Saidi claimed 2/33. Agnes Qwele bowled with discipline to return 0/28, Sophia Jerome was economical with 0/6 from two overs, and Sheila Kizito went wicketless despite conceding 19 runs in her two overs.
Chasing 133, Tanzania Women began confidently through Saum Mtae and captain Neema Pius. Although Mtae lost her opening partner early after a 63-run opening stand, she continued positively before being dismissed for 31 off 31 balls, including three fours. Neema Pius then took charge with a superb 38 off 30 deliveries, striking four boundaries and one six. She shared a valuable 15-run second-wicket partnership with Perice Kamunya, who contributed 22 from 25 balls, before Neema departed with Tanzania well placed at 78/2.
The chase remained evenly balanced as Kamunya and Hudaa Omary added 12 runs for the third wicket. Omary managed 5 runs before falling, while Kamunya’s dismissal shortly afterwards at 111/4 gave Uganda a major breakthrough. Nasra Saidi scored a useful 9 off 9 balls, adding 3 runs with Agnes Qwele, who made 6 from 12 deliveries. Uganda’s fielding then proved decisive, with two important run-outs disrupting Tanzania’s momentum. Aisha Mohamed added 2, Linda Massawe was dismissed for a duck, while Sophia Jerome (1) and Sheila Kizito (6 off 2 balls) tried to launch a late assault. However, Tanzania eventually finished on 127/8, falling just five runs short of the target.
Uganda’s bowlers complemented their batting effort with disciplined spells throughout the innings. Immaculate Nakisuuyi produced the match-winning bowling figures of 2/28 from four overs, removing key middle-order batters at crucial moments. Asumin Akurut also impressed with 2/20, while Concy Aweko claimed 1/20 and Sarah Walaza returned 1/18. Phiona Kulume bowled tidily, conceding only 14 runs in two overs, and captain Janet Mbabazi chipped in with three overs despite going wicketless. Uganda’s combination of timely wickets, economical bowling and sharp fielding ultimately made the difference in a tightly contested encounter.
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