By Isaac Akugizibwe,
SPORTS
Uganda needed only three wickets to win their first T20 World Cup match. The Cricket Cranes defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a low-scoring match in Guyana on Thursday morning.
Brian Masaba, Uganda’s captain, won the toss and elected to bowl first against Papua New Guinea, who were also searching for their first T20 World Cup victory.
PNG’s batting disintegrated to 77 all out after being sent to bat, before the Cricket Cranes, who were also in trouble at 26 for 5, reached home in the 19th over.
Riazat Ali Shah, the eventual player of the match, led the Cricket Cranes through the tough chase with a low backlift in his 33 off 56, falling just three runs short of the team’s objective.
PNG were left to lament their dismal batting, but they also surrendered 15 wides, which was the second-highest contribution on the scoreboard.
Uganda’s bowling in the first innings, led by an extraordinary tandem of 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga and 21-year-old Juma Miyagi, was the game’s highlight.
The duo justified their presence in this game with impressive performances, with Nsubuga bowling the most economical spell (minimum four overs) in T20 World Cup history, with figures of 4-2-4-2.
Nsubuga was also only the second bowler to bowl 20 dot balls in a T20 World Cup game, matching Ajantha Mendis in 2012.
The 43 year old also became the second-oldest bowler to take a wicket in the T20 World Cup after sneaking one past Charles Amini’s leg stump.
Brian Masaba, the victorious cricket cranes skipper said it was a special win.
“I’m super proud of this group of guys,” Masaba said.
“I mean, they’ve put in the work, they’ve put in such a shift. And to get a win for their country at the World Cup is very, very special.”
“This is our first win at the World Cup and it couldn’t get better than this.
“It’s been 3-4 years of hard work from all the players and we got the plans and execution right as compared to the last match, the bowling team set up the win today.
The Cricket Cranes’ victory followed a heavy 125-run defeat to Afghanistan in the opening game on Tuesday.
Uganda play West Indies in their next group C game on Saturday.
