Pearls Run Out of Magic as Netherlands Turn Chase Into Casual Stroll
THE national senior women’s cricket team, Victoria Pearls, ended their ICC Women’s Emerging Nations T20 Trophy campaign with a six wicket loss to the Netherlands on Sunday at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok, Thailand.
After suffering heavy defeats to both the United Arab Emirates and the hosts Thailand, the side coached by Deus Muhumuza had revived their campaign with a convincing seven wicket win over neighbours Tanzania, their second victory of the tournament. However, they were unable to carry that momentum into their final match against the Dutch.
Sent in to bat first after losing the toss, the Victoria Pearls posted a modest total. The top order of captain Janet Mbabazi, Esther Iloku and Immaculate Nakisuuyi managed only 32 runs between them, with Nakisuuyi contributing 16 off 28 balls and Mbabazi adding 13 off 14. But former opener Proscovia Alako, now batting at number six, steadied the innings and lifted Uganda to 111 with a well played 34 off 29 deliveries.
The total, however, proved insufficient. The Netherlands chased it down with ease, driven by a composed middle order partnership from Sterre Kalis, who made 32 off 32, and Robin Rijke, who finished unbeaten on 36 off 31. They reached the target in 14.5 overs, leaving Uganda to close their campaign on a disappointing note.
Uganda finished the tournament with two wins a narrow four run victory over PNG and a seven wicket win against Tanzania and ended sixth on the table with four points. They placed above fellow African sides Namibia and Tanzania.
Individually, Mbabazi emerged as Uganda’s leading run scorer with 119 runs from seven matches, highlighted by an unbeaten 60 against Tanzania. With the ball, Nakisuuyi topped the team’s wicket charts, claiming seven wickets in as many games, with figures of two for 12 standing as her best performance.
