Victoria Pearls Shine as Uganda Complete Clean Sweep Over Canada
UGANDA retained the Victoria Series trophy after completing a 5 – 0 trouncing of Canada, capped by a 12-run win on Sunday, the final day of the series.
The week-long tournament, which began last Monday, saw the hosts confirm their champion status with an 18-run win on matchday three. However, that result did little to spare the visitors from further defeats.
Canada won the toss and, as they had done on matchday three, the only other time they had won it, opted to field. Uganda’s innings was smooth sailing as the Victoria Pearls posted 101 for four.
All six of Uganda’s batters reached double figures, with captain Janet Mbabazi top scoring with 26 off 31 balls.
Proscovia Alako, who appears to have moved away from her previous opening role, registered the highest strike rate of the match. Batting at number six, the 22-year-old raced to 17 not out off seven balls, boasting a strike rate of 242.86.
With a total of 77 runs, Alako finished fifth on the tournament batting chart, behind teammates Rita Musamali and Immaculate Nakisuuyi (both with 81), her skipper Mbabazi (90), and Canadian captain Amarpal Kaur, who topped the chart with 118 runs.
Kaur’s consistent performances earned her the Best Batter award, giving the Canadians something to smile about despite their struggles.
With the ball, Teddy Oyella, featuring for the first time in the series, ended the day with four wickets. The national team returnee cleaned up the tail, taking all her wickets in the 20th over.
Overall, Kevin Amuge finished as the tournament’s leading wicket taker and received the Best Bowler award after claiming ten wickets, four more than Naume Amongin, who finished second.
The MVP accolade went to Immaculate Nakisuuyi, who followed up her impressive showing at the Lyca Super T20, where she was also named MVP, by repeating the feat in this series. With 81 runs, four wickets, and five dismissals, Nakisuuyi’s all-around display stood out above the rest.
Canada failed to register a single win in the series, but as they head to Tanzania for another bilateral series, they remain optimistic.
“We’ve learned a lot about playing in new conditions and handling pressure. Expect us to do better as we travel to play another five-match series in Dar es Salaam against Tanzania next week,” Canadian skipper said.
Uganda’s attention now shifts to the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand, scheduled for 18 November to 1 December, where they will hope to carry their winning momentum.
