David GOMBE
Match Report: Papua New Guinea vs Uganda, ICC T20 World Cup at Providence Stadium Match Summary
Papua New Guinea (PNG): 77 all out in 19.1 overs
(Hiri Hiri 15; Frank Nsubuga 2-4, Juma Miyaji 2-13, Alpesh Ramjani 2-15, Cosmas Kyewuta 2-16)
Uganda: 78 for 7 in 18.2 overs (Riazat Ali Shah 33, Juma Miyaji 13; Alei Nao 2-16, Norman Vanue 2-19
Result: Uganda won by 3 wickets (with 10 balls remaining) Uganda script historic victory Uganda scripted a historic win in their second match at the ICC T20 World Cup, securing a three-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a low-scoring yet tense encounter.
Playing on a tricky surface at Providence Stadium, Guyana, that offered palpable assistance to the bowlers, Uganda’s technical team, led by coach Abhay Sharma, made three bold tactical changes that paid off handsomely.
Tactical changes pay off
Sharma made strategic changes, dropping left-arm orthodox spinner Henry Ssenyondo for off-spinner Frank Nsubuga, given the PNG lineup’s left-handers.
Batting all-rounder Kenneth Waiswa replaced the struggling top-order batter Ronak Patel, and young Juma Miyaji made his debut in place of paceman Bilal Hassun, who
was wayward against Afghanistan.
Uganda’s bowling dominance
Winning the toss, Uganda’s captain Brian Masaba elected to field, a decision that reaped early dividends.
PNG’s innings quickly unraveled, finding themselves at 19 for 3 in 3.3 overs.
Uganda’s bowlers, led by veteran Frank Nsubuga, dismantled the PNG batting lineup. Nsubuga’s remarkable spell of 2 for 4 in 4 overs, including two maidens, is now the most economical four-over spell in T20 World Cup history.
His performance, along with two wickets each from Juma Miyaji, Alpesh Ramjani, and Cosmas Kyewuta, saw
PNG fold for 77 in 19.1 overs. Nsubuga, at 43, also became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match. Cricket Cranes’ chase Uganda’s chase was fraught with tension.
Early wickets tumbled as Roger Mukasa was trapped LBW for a duck, and Robinson Obuya holed out to Assad Vala for one, leaving Uganda at 6 for 2 in 2 overs.
The situation worsened as Uganda slipped to 26 for 5 in 6.3 overs, with key dismissals including Simon Ssesazi, Alpesh Ramjani, and Dinesh Nakrani.
The turning point came when Riazat Ali Shah was dropped on 8 by Charles Amini at 35 for 5 in 8.2 overs. Shah capitalized on this reprieve, scoring 33 from 56 balls. His innings, along with Juma Miyaji’s 13 off 16, featured dominantly in a crucial 35-run partnership for the sixth wicket that steadied Uganda’s chase.
However, Shah fell attempting a big shot at 75 for 7 in 17.5 overs, with Uganda needing just 3 runs from 13
balls for a memorable triumph.
Despite a run-out mix-up that saw Miyaji dismissed, Uganda held their nerve. Kenneth Waiswa, despite being dropped on 4 with scores at 74 for 4 in 17.1 overs, ensured the victory by paddling Charles Amini finer to fine leg for the winning two runs.
Uganda reached 78 for 7 in 18.2 overs, securing their historic first T20 World Cup win with three wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
Conclusion Uganda’s historic victory, achieved through strategic changes and a gritty performance, had the cricketing world buzzing as it’s a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.
The low-scoring thriller at Providence Stadium will be remembered as the true arrival of the Cricket Cranes to the global stage.
Next Fixture – Sunday, June 9 – 3:30am (EAT):
Uganda vs. West Indies, Providence Stadium, Guyana
