The ongoing Quadrangular Series in Uganda has panned out back-to-back thrillers, keeping cricket enthusiasts and followers on the edge of their seats. Match No. 5 and 6, played on Day 3 of the series, were nothing short of incredible nail-biters, both decided by the slimmest of margins in the last moments of the game. Uganda edged past Namibia by just one run in a crucial game, while Hong Kong held their nerve to secure a two-run victory against Nepal in the succeeding match.
Uganda holds their nerve to secure one-run win over Namibia
Namibia won the toss and elected to field in a truncated 16-over game, making full use of the dwindling conditions to put Uganda under pressure. Their bowlers kept things tight, restricting Uganda to a total of 71 for 6. Right-arm medium pacer Eveleen Kejarukua was the standout performer with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets while conceding 13 runs. Despite the disciplined bowling effort, Uganda managed to push their total past 70, thanks to wicketkeeper-batter Esther Iloku, who top-scored with a steady 21 (31), providing her team with a fighting chance in a low-scoring encounter.
Namibia never got going in the run chase, failing to build any momentum to seize the target. Except for one batter, none of their players could reach double digits, making the 72-run target look treacherous. Right-arm medium pacer Sarah Akiteng delivered a spell for ages for her country, rattling Namibia with figures of 5 for 14 in her four-over spell. With 10 runs needed off the final over and just one wicket in hand, Namibia fought hard but ultimately fell short, losing by a single run on the last ball of the innings.
This defeat makes a churn in the points table as Namibia now finds itself at the bottom of the table with two losses from three matches. Uganda’s 1 run victory against Namibia is the smallest victory margin by runs in women’s T20 Internationals, beating 3-run win against Tanzania. Yasmeen Khan (26) has broken the record for most catches in Women T20 Internationals by a fielder for Namibia, getting past Dietlind Foerster’s record of 25 holds.
Nepal collapses as Hong Kong wins by 2 runs, defending 100
In Match No. 6, Nepal played Hong Kong in another blockbuster match, with the former deciding to bowl first after winning the toss. Hong Kong’s innings was led by their captain Natasha Miles, who scored a slow but steady knock of 35 off 42 balls, with Mariko Hill contributing a useful 21 off 26 balls.
Even so, Nepal’s bowlers ensured that things remained in check, with right-arm medium pacers Indu Barma (2/15) and Ishwori Bist (2/15) spearheading the attack. Both picked up two wickets each while conceding just 15 runs, restricting Hong Kong to a competitive yet chaseable total.
In a nail-biting finish, Nepal fell just two runs short in their chase, adding yet another thriller to the Quadrangular Series. Captain Indu Barma led from the front with an almost run-a-ball 32, keeping her team in the hunt. She found support from Puja Mahato (19) and Sana Praveen (10) in the top order, while Roma Thapa’s (13* off 12) late cameo gave Nepal a ray of hope.
However, Hong Kong’s Kary Chan held her nerve in the final overs, keeping things tight to seal the victory. Mariko Hill, who contributed with both bat and ball, was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance.
