UGANDA began their ICC Women’s Emerging Nations T20 Trophy campaign on the losing end following their 15 loss to Scotland on Thursday.
The Victoria Pearls, who headed into this tournament off the back of a five-nil mauling of Canada, lost the toss and were tasked to bowl first and despite losing Ailsa Lister at the start of the second Over, Scotland, through their other opener Darcey Carter, savoured the start of their innings.
The European side suffered more blips inside the tenth over when Ellen Watson and Sarah Bryce got dismissed, but their innings were stabilised when Megan McColl joined the crease. The 25-year-old entered the crease in the eighth point five overs with Scotland at fifty-three, but together with Carter who ended the game with an unbeaten 54 off 50, guided her side to triple figures.
The two conjured a 49-run partnership, and by the time the latter was stumped in the 15.1 over, the scoreboard read 103; McColl falling with 32 off 22. McColl’s wicket spelt doom for Scotland as two more wickets got plucked in that same over and a couple more in the Over that followed, leaving Scotland with only 12 runs scored in the last five overs. The score, though seemingly within reach for the East African side, was one that Scotland defended.
Uganda had been brilliant in the first innings, especially with their fielding, registering three runouts, a stumping and two catches. Their chase began brilliantly as well. Esther Iloku and Immaculate Nakisuuyi, who replaced ducked Janet Mbabazi, enviably rotated the strike and chipped in a few boundaries, but Uganda’s inability to maintain consistency bit once again.
The duo had Uganda, who have never beaten Scotland, dreaming. But once they got out, Deus Muhumuza’s team struggled. The side failed to forge another partnership. The two had combined for a 54-run stand, with Iloku returning 24 off 33 and Nakisuuyi 36 off forty-two.
Rita Musamali tried to keep the board ticking; however, with little help from her partners, she was unable to effect any damage. Musamali ended the game with 20 not out off 24, Uganda losing by 15 runs.
This was the third loss Uganda suffered at the hands of Scotland, having lost by nine wickets in 2018 during the World Cup Global Qualifiers and by 109 runs last year at the same tournament. It was an expected loss, but going by the history of this fixture, the technical team and players alike will feel they lost honourably this time.
Uganda will hope to get their campaign going tomorrow when they face Namibia in their second game. Namibia opened the tournament with an eight-wicket loss to Tanzania.
