Nampiina Leads Uganda Past USA to Stay Unbeaten in Victoria Series
UGANDA maintained their unbeaten start to the Victoria Series 2026 with a seven-wicket victory over the USA, chasing down 94 with 28 balls to spare.
After restricting USA to 93/7, Uganda eased to their target thanks to a composed 37 from Player of the Match Stephanie Nampiina and an unbeaten cameo from Rita Musamali.
The USA Women opted to bat first after winning the toss, but Uganda settled into their work straight away and made scoring difficult from the outset.
Malisa Ariokot struck twice in the opening exchanges, trapping Chetna Reddy Pagydyala lbw for 2 before removing Sainavi Kambalapalli for 13. At 20/2 after five overs, the USA were already having to rebuild.
There were useful contributions through the middle of the innings. Isani Mahesh Vaghela made 21 from 28 balls and Nikhar Doshi added 17, but neither batter was able to push on and give the innings real momentum.
Uganda never allowed a partnership to develop for long. Vaghela fell to Asumin Akurut, Doshi was run out, and Bhogle was later stumped by Kevin Awino off the same bowler as the pressure continued to mount. With boundaries scarce and singles hard-earned, the scoring rate never really lifted.
Late runs from Aditiba Indrajitsinh Chudasama (16) and unbeaten Ritu Priya Singh (10) helped the USA edge their way to 93/7, but it looked a modest total on a surface that offered few demons.
Uganda’s bowling effort was built on control and consistency. Ariokot returned figures of 2 for 14 from her four overs, including a maiden, while Akurut claimed 2 for 18. Just as important was the discipline across the rest of the attack, which gave the USA very little room to accelerate.
Chasing 94, Uganda had no need to force the pace.
Captain Janet Mbabazi and Nampiina shared an opening stand of 35 that took much of the early pressure out of the chase. Mbabazi made 14 before she was caught by Vaghela off Kambalapalli, but Uganda remained firmly in control.
Nampiina’s innings was not packed with boundaries, but it was exactly what the situation required. She kept the scoreboard moving, rotated the strike well and rarely looked troubled as Uganda moved steadily toward the target.
The USA briefly pulled things back when Proscovia Alako fell for 7, giving Kambalapalli her second wicket, but Uganda never looked in danger of letting the chase slip.
Musamali then made sure there would be no lingering uncertainty. Her unbeaten 27 from just 18 balls included four boundaries and brought a welcome burst of urgency as the finish line came into view.
Nampiina eventually departed for 37, caught by Ritu Priya Singh off Taranum Chopra with victory all but secured. Musamali and Esther Iloku completed the formalities soon afterwards, taking Uganda to 94/3 in 15.2 overs.
Kambalapalli was the most effective bowler for USA with figures of 2 for 18 from four overs. Defending a total under 100, however, was always going to be a difficult assignment.
The result keeps Uganda at the top of the Victoria Series standings with three wins from three matches and six points. The USA remain without a victory after their opening three fixtures.
