Nampiina half-century against USA powers Uganda into final
David GOMBE
Day 6 of the 2026 Victoria Series delivered decisive tournament outcomes at the Entebbe Cricket Ground on Thursday, as host nation Uganda booked a place in Saturday’s final while Namibia faltered to drop into the third-place playoff.
In the morning fixture, Stephanie Nampiina registered the tournament’s first half-century to anchor Uganda’s total before captain Janet Mbabazi and Asumin Akurut destabilised the United States to secure a 14-run triumph, sealing the Victoria Pearls’ spot in the final for Saturday 14th November at 2:00 PM.
The afternoon session witnessed a dominant bowling display from Rwanda, as Ruth Uwimana and Alice Ikuzwe shared six wickets to bowl out Namibia for 58 and guide their side to a hard-fought four-wicket win.
The defeat saw Namibia miss out on the final, leaving them poised to face the USA in Saturday’s third-place playoff at 9:30 AM.
Nampiina half-century guides Uganda past USA Into final
Match: Uganda vs. USA – Game 11
Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
Toss: USA won the toss and elected to bowl.
Uganda Innings: 105/6 (20 Overs) – Stephanie Nampiina 53 (51), Rita Musamali 22 (28), Esther Iloku 9* (9); Geetika Kodali 2/15, Lekha Shetty 1/7, Ritu Priya Singh 1/17
USA Innings: 91/9 (20 Overs) – Sainavi Kambalapalli 25 (31), Ella Caterina Claridge 24 (27), Chetna Reddy Pagydyala 11 (14); Janet Mbabazi 3/13, Asumin Akurut 3/22, Consylate Aweko Nimungu 1/9
Result: Uganda won by 14 runs
Sent in to bat after the United States won the toss, Uganda recovered from early wickets to post a competitive 105/6 in 20 overs.
Opener Stephanie Nampiina produced the standout batting performance of the series so far, anchoring the innings with a superb 53 off 51 balls – featuring seven fours and a towering six.
Nampiina found a reliable ally in vice-captain Rita Musamali (22 off 28), with the pair stitching together a crucial 50-run fourth-wicket partnership that lifted the Victoria Pearls from 36/2 to 86/3.
Geetika Kodali was the pick of the American bowlers, returning economical figures of 2/15 in 4 overs.
Chasing 106 for victory, the USA made a brisk start as Chetna Reddy Pagydyala (11 off 14) and Sainavi Kambalapalli (25 off 31) put on 35 for the first wicket inside six overs.
Wicket-keeper Ella Caterina Claridge kept the chase alive through the middle overs with a steady 24 off 27 deliveries.
However, Uganda’s medium-pace attack completely choked the run rate in the second half of the innings.
Asumin Akurut sparked a middle-order collapse with 3/22 in 4 overs, while captain Janet Mbabazi delivered a clinical spell of 3/13 in 4 overs.
Backed by Consylate Aweko Nimungu (1/9 in 4 overs), Uganda restricted the USA to 91/9, locking in a 14-run victory and punching their ticket to Saturday’s 2:00 PM final.
Uwimana and Ikuzwe propel Rwanda to four-wicket triumph as Namibia falter
Match: Namibia vs. Rwanda – Game 12
Venue: Entebbe Cricket Ground
Toss: Namibia won the toss and elected to bat.
Namibia Innings: 58/10 (17 Overs) – Kayleen Ann Green 12 (23), Suné Wittmann 10 (22), Sylvia Shihepo 8 (13); Ruth Uwimana 3/10, Alice Ikuzwe 3/10, Diane Marie Bimenyimana 2/4
Rwanda Innings: 59/6 (15.5 Overs) – Merveille Uwase 13* (30), Alice Ikuzwe 9* (14), Gisele Ishimwe 8 (11); Wilka Mwatile 2/8, Kayleen Ann Green 1/3, Eveleen Kejarukua 1/5
Result: Rwanda won by 4 wickets (with 25 balls remaining)
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Namibia endured a dismal afternoon with the bat against a relentless Rwandan bowling unit.
Only opener Kayleen Ann Green (12 off 23) and skipper Suné Wittmann (10 off 22) managed to reach double figures as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Ruth Uwimana continued her sensational tournament form with 3/10 in 4 overs, while Alice Ikuzwe matched her with 3/10 in 4 overs (including a maiden).
Captain Diane Marie Bimenyimana chipped in with 2/4 in 2 overs as Namibia were bundled out for just 58 in 17 overs.
Defending a modest target of 59, Namibia’s bowlers refused to go down without a fight.
An early run-out of Fanny Utagushimaninde (0) and tight spells from Wilka Mwatile (2/8 in 4 overs), Eveleen Kejarukua (1/5), and Kayleen Ann Green (1/3) reduced Rwanda to 38/6 at the end of the 12th over.
With the match hanging in the balance, wicket-keeper Merveille Uwase (13* off 30) and Player of the Match Alice Ikuzwe (9* off 14) displayed immense composure.
The pair absorbed the pressure and shared an unbroken 21-run seventh-wicket stand, steering Rwanda to 59/6 in 15.5 overs to clinch a four-wicket victory – a result that relegates Namibia to Saturday morning’s 9:30 AM third-place playoff against the USA.