Immaculate Nakisuuyi starred for Uganda with an unbeaten half-century in their first Qualifier win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
The USA, playing their first match of the Qualifier, were helped to a stable start by opener Disha Dhingra who scored 25 off 24 balls.
However, Uganda bowlers Sarah Walaza and Sarah Akiteng managed to snare a wicket each of the USA openers in the first eight overs to bring some momentum back into their favor.
A 40-run third-wicket partnership between captain Sindhu Sriharsha and Ritu Singh laid down a foundation for a strong finish.
Just as the USA were approaching the final five overs, Ritu’s (16) wicket was the first of many to fall. Sriharsha was then dismissed in the 17th over to Concy Aweko, caught by Rita Musamali for 26 – USA’s highest score for the day.
The next over saw the back of Geetika Kodali who was run out by Rita Musamali while trying to steal a second off an overthrow.
However, the USA composed themselves to finish well in the final over, adding 11 runs with Gargi Bhogle’s cameo of 19 runs off 16 balls taking them to 110/5 in their 20 overs.
In their chase, Uganda were put on the back foot with a wicket in the first over – Prosscovia Alako falling for a duck. The USA picked another wicket in the Powerplay, dismissing Esther Iloku. Uganda ended the first six overs with 13/2 on the board.
The equation for Uganda to win the match read 98 runs from 84 balls with a required run rate of seven. At this point, they required an immaculate partnership for the match to turn in their favour and Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Stephani Nampiina delivered just that.
Nakisuuyi smashed her second T20I fifty bringing it up in 53 balls. The two players continued to show nerves of steel to time the chase to perfection as they assimilated 102 runs for the third wicket in 82 balls to bring up Uganda’s first win of the Qualifier.
Nakisuuyi finished with an unbeaten 68* off 64 balls to win the Player of the Match award while Nampiina scored an impressive 33 in 27 balls.
