ENTEBBE – Arrasta Diergaardt produced a match-winning all-round performance, claiming 5 for 21 as Namibia Women edged USA Women by eight runs in Game 3 of the Victoria Series 2026 at Entebbe Cricket Oval on Saturday.
Defending a modest total of 116 for 8, Namibia held their nerve in a tense finish as USA collapsed in the final over. Ritu Priya Singh was run out for 12 off the first ball of the over before Diergaardt struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Taranum Chopra and captain Aditiba Indrajitsinh Chudasama to bowl USA out for 108 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Earlier, USA won the toss and elected to field. Namibia’s innings was built around a composed 44 from captain Suné Wittmann, who faced 44 deliveries and hit three boundaries. After Merzerly Gorases departed for 12 with the score on 26 in the fourth over, Wittmann and Mekelaye Mwatile combined for a 48-run second-wicket partnership that steadied the innings. Mwatile contributed 22 from 27 balls as Namibia reached 74 for 1 after 12 overs.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Namibia lost seven wickets for 42 runs. Sainavi Kambalapalli triggered the collapse, first having Mwatile stumped by wicketkeeper Ella Caterina Claridge before striking twice in two balls during the 15th over. Wittmann was stumped and Diergaardt was bowled first ball as Kambalapalli finished with impressive figures of 3 for 16 from four overs.
Wilka Mwatile added a valuable 20 from 18 balls, including the only six of the match, helping Namibia reach 116 for 8. USA captain Chudasama returned figures of 2 for 22, while Chopra and Jivana Aras claimed one wicket each.
In reply, USA struggled to build momentum and were reduced to 35 for 3 by the end of the eighth over. Diergaardt trapped Chetna Reddy Pagydyala lbw for 16, while Sylvia Shihepo removed Isani Mahesh Vaghela for seven and Claridge for a duck with consecutive deliveries.
Kambalapalli led the chase with 33 from 45 balls and shared a 33-run fourth-wicket partnership with Nikhar Doshi. Doshi scored 19 from 18 deliveries before becoming Diergaardt’s next victim in the 14th over. Kambalapalli’s dismissal, caught by Wittmann off Victoria Hamunyela’s bowling with the score on 87 for 6 after 17 overs, left USA needing a strong finish.
Namibia’s bowlers maintained control in the closing stages. Eveleen Kejarukua conceded just 15 runs from her four overs, while Wilka Mwatile’s four overs cost only 18 runs. Diergaardt then delivered the decisive blows in the final over to seal Namibia’s narrow victory.
Brief Scores
Namibia Women 116/8 (20 overs)
Suné Wittmann 44, Mekelaye Mwatile 22, Wilka Mwatile 20; Sainavi Kambalapalli 3/16, Aditiba Indrajitsinh Chudasama 2/22.
USA Women 108/9 (20 overs)
Sainavi Kambalapalli 33, Nikhar Doshi 19, Chetna Reddy Pagydyala 16; Arrasta Diergaardt 5/21, Sylvia Shihepo 2/17.
Result: Namibia Women won by 8 runs.
