A tense battle unfolded on a sunny afternoon at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok as Scotland Women edged out Uganda Women by 15 runs in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025. After winning the toss, Scotland elected to bat first, aiming to post a defensible total on a surface that seemed to offer something for both bat and ball.
Scotland’s innings got off to a modest but controlled start. Darcey Carter anchored the innings brilliantly, playing a composed innings of 54 not out off 50 balls, laced with five boundaries and a well-timed six, showcasing her calm under pressure. Her innings was the backbone of Scotland’s batting, allowing their lower order to contribute in small but meaningful ways.
Early wickets did slow them down; Ailsa Lister fell for a golden duck in just her second delivery, off Consy Aweko’s bowling. Ellen Watson followed shortly thereafter, managing 11 from 15 balls before falling to Sarah Akiteng, while Sarah Bryce, Scotland’s captain and wicketkeeper, chipped in with 6 runs before being dismissed by Janet Mbabazi. There was also a useful cameo from Megan McColl, who stroked a rapid 32 off 22 balls, including six boundaries, giving Scotland’s innings a much-needed momentum boost.
The rest of the batting was less eventful. Priyanaz Chatterji was trapped lbw for a duck by Mbabazi, Rachel Slater was run out off a mix-up for 0, Chloe Abel also run out for 1, and Abtaha Maqsood fell to Immaculate Nakisuuyi for a two-ball duck. Olivia Bell too was run out for 1. Scotland closed on 115/9 from their 20 overs, including 7 extras (1 leg-bye, 6 wides), a total that was defensible but not imposing.
Uganda’s bowling unit was disciplined and shared the burden well. Janet Mbabazi was their spearhead, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs in her 3-over spell, accounting for Watson, Bryce, and McColl, arguably the most dangerous batters in Scotland’s lineup. Nakisuuyi also contributed a tidy spell of 4 overs for 18 runs, picking up 1 key wicket by dismissing Maqsood. Sarah Akiteng bowled 4 overs, conceding 29 runs and dismissing Watson early, while Kevin Amuge and Consy Aweko produced tight spells too, with Aweko taking 1 wicket (Ailsa Lister) and Amuge keeping things tidy with no wickets in his 3 overs.
Chasing 116 to win, Uganda Women started their innings nervously. Their captain Janet Mbabazi was out for a duck, lbw to Mollie Parker in the very first over, putting them on the back foot immediately. They did find some momentum in the middle with a partnership between Esther Iloku and Immaculate Nakisuuyi. Iloku played 24 from 33 balls, hitting a couple of boundaries, while Nakisuuyi made a more fluent 36 off 42 balls, with four classy boundaries. Their stand, however, was not enough to dominate while they were scoring, wickets kept falling at the other end.
Megan McColl’s safe glove behind the stumps and Priyanaz Chatterji’s tight bowling proved vital for Scotland. Chatterji dismissed Proscovia Alako for 5 and also trapped Kevin Awino lbw for 1, ending their hopes of a late surge. Another key moment came when Olivia Bell trapped Stephanie Nampiina lbw for 1, stifling any lower-order momentum. Despite a patient and composed 20 not out from Rita Musamali off 24 balls, Uganda could only muster 100/6 in their 20 overs. Extras counted for 11 (6 wides, 4 leg byes, 1 no-ball), but they couldn’t quite break through Scotland’s discipline under pressure.
Scotland’s balanced performance, anchored by Carter’s solid fifty and supported by tight bowling from Chatterji, Parker, and Maqsood, secured a hard-fought 15-run win. Carter’s composed knock earned her the Player of the Match award, and Scotland will take heart from the way they defended a modest total under pressure. This result gives them a valuable boost early in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, highlighting their grit and temperament in crucial moments.
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