Nampiina, Musamali drive Uganda to comfortable win against USA
David GOMBE
Uganda extend their winning streak, as Stephanie Nampiina and vice-captain Rita Musamali paced a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the United States on Day of the 2026 Victoria Series in Entebbe.
Match: USA vs. Uganda – Game 6
Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
Toss: USA won the toss and elected to bat.
USA Innings: 93/7 (20 Overs) – Isani Mahesh Vaghela 21 (28), Nikhar Doshi 17 (18), Aditiba Indrajitsinh Chudasama 16 (19); Malisa Ariokot 2/14, Asumin Akurut 2/18, Sarah Walaza 1/16
Uganda Innings: 94/3 (15.2 Overs) – Stephanie Nampiina 37 (44), Rita Musamali 27* (18), Janet Mbabazi 14 (22); Sainavi Kambalapalli 2/18, Taranum Chopra 1/4
Result: Uganda won by 7 wickets (with 28 balls remaining)
Electing to bat first, the United States found it tough to break free against a disciplined Ugandan bowling lineup.
Isani Mahesh Vaghela top-scored with 21 off 28 balls, supported by Nikhar Doshi (17) and skipper Aditiba Indrajitsinh Chudasama (16).
However, Uganda’s spin and seam tandem kept the scoring tight.
Malisa Ariokot opened with a tight spell of 2/14 in 4 overs (including a maiden), while Asumin Akurut picked up 2/18 to restrict the USA to 93/7 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 94 for victory, the Victoria Pearls staged a measured and confident response.
Openers Janet Mbabazi (14) and Stephanie Nampiina put on a 35-run opening stand to lay a solid foundation.
Following Mbabazi’s departure, Nampiina anchored the chase with a fluent 37 off 44 balls (hitting two boundaries).
Rita Musamali then provided the explosive finish, blasting an unbeaten 27 off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 150.00 to seal the seven-wicket victory in 15.2 overs with nearly five overs to spare.
Meanwhile, in the morning encounter, Namibia produced a clinical all-round effort led by Kayleen Ann Green to bowl out Rwanda for 59 and wrap up a comprehensive 39-run victory.
Match: Namibia vs. Rwanda – Game 5
Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
Toss: Namibia won the toss and elected to bat.
Namibia Innings: 98/8 (20 Overs) – Kayleen Ann Green 39 (49), Wilka Mwatile 17 (15), Naomi Benjamin 14 (13); Diane Marie Bimenyimana 3/23, Belise Murekatete 1/13, Henriette Therese Ishimwe 1/19
Rwanda Innings: 59/10 (17.5 Overs) – Gisele Ishimwe 10 (23), Shakila Niyomuhoza 9 (15), Henriette Therese Ishimwe 8 (21); Kayleen Ann Green 3/10, Wilka Mwatile 2/10, Mekelaye Mwatile 2/11
Result: Namibia won by 39 runs
Namibia elected to bat after winning the toss, navigating a tight Rwandan bowling attack to post 98/8 in 20 overs.
Player of the Match Kayleen Ann Green anchored the innings with a patient 39 off 49 balls, while late acceleration from Wilka Mwatile (17 off 15) and Naomi Benjamin (14 off 13) pushed Namibia near the century mark.
Rwanda skipper Diane Marie Bimenyimana stood out with the ball, picking up 3/23 in her four-over spell to restrict the Namibians from pulling away.
In reply, Rwanda’s chase stalled almost immediately against Namibia’s disciplined opening bowlers.
Wilka Mwatile struck twice in the opening over to remove Fanny Utagushimaninde (0) and Belise Murekatete (0), leaving Rwanda in early trouble at 4/2.
Gisele Ishimwe (10) attempted to consolidate, but a relentless Namibian attack quickly broke through the middle order.
Kayleen Ann Green capped off her brilliant day with 3/10, while Mekelaye Mwatile (2/11) and Arrasta Diergaardt (2/8) tore through the lower order to dismiss Rwanda for 59 in 17.5 overs, sealing an emphatic 39-run win.