NAMIBIA pressed for every ounce out of 81 runs to beat Uganda by four in a scrappy, hard-fought Victoria Series 2026 encounter at Entebbe Cricket Ground.
On a surface that offered little comfort to batters, Namibia never managed to build a substantial innings after being sent in to bat. Instead, they pieced together just enough runs to give their bowlers something to defend.
The key contribution came from Mekelaye Mwatile, whose 27 from 34 balls was the highest score of the match. No batter reached 30, which said plenty about the conditions and the pressure applied by both attacks.
Uganda’s bowlers controlled the innings for long spells. Captain Janet Mbabazi returned figures of 3 for 13, while Sarah Walaza matched the wicket tally with 3 for 18. At 46 for 8, Namibia looked in danger of folding for a much smaller total before late runs carried them to 81 all out in 19 overs.
The chase began shakily. Uganda lost captain Janet Mbabazi with just one run on the board and never quite settled despite reaching 42 for 2 through contributions from Proscovia Alako and Rita Musamali.
Alako top-scored with 21 from 23 balls, while Musamali added 19, but neither could provide the innings that would take the game away from Namibia. Once the partnership was broken, the chase started to unravel.
Namibia sensed an opening and did not let it pass.
Eveleen Kejarukua struck three times, removing Uganda’s top scorer as well as two other key batters, while Victoria Hamunyela chipped in with two wickets. At the heart of the resistance was Arrasta Diergaardt, whose four-over spell yielded just eight runs and two wickets. Every dot ball tightened the pressure. Every wicket pushed Uganda further off balance.
By the final over, the match was still alive. Uganda needed one last push but could not find it. The innings ended on 77 all out, handing Namibia victory by four runs and completing a remarkable defence of a modest target.
Diergaardt’s spell proved the difference between the sides and earned her the Player of the Match award
