Cricket: Nigeria suffers first loss in KwibukaT20 to Uganda

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Team Nigeria has suffered her first loss in the ongoing KwibukaT20 Women’s Cricket tournament in Rwanda, losing by five wickets to Uganda.

Following her impressive campaign so far with wins in her previous three games, Nigeria set out in confidence to face the highest ranked team in the tournament, Uganda.

The 19th International Cricket Council (ICC) ranked side, Uganda, also yet to lose a game so far in the tournament, won the toss and elected to bowl.

The opening batting partnership of  captain Blessing Etim  and Omonye Asika, both lost their wickets in the second over, sending shivers to the Nigerian bench.

Esther Sandy and Favour Esiegbe came on and brought some stability but just as the team was beginning to look good, Esiegbe was out caught, leaving Nigeria on 45 runs after 10 overs.

Sandy stepped up with an impressive half century of 52 runs off 39 balls and a strike rate of 133.3, with partner Piety Lucky contributing  27 runs off 37 balls.

Nigeria finished with 100 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.

In an attempt to defend the target, Nigeria began the second innings with a maiden over from Rachael Samson to send indications that Uganda will have to work hard in their run chase.

Nigeria was in control for most of the innings but the efforts of Kevin Awino  with 22 runs off 45 balls, Stephanie Nampiina 20  off 22 balls and

immaculate Nakisuyi 31 off 20, was enough to see the East Africans scale through.

Uganda eventually scored 101 runs for the loss of five wickets in 18.2 overs.

Uganda finish the first round of the round robin in top place with Nigeria in second, followed closely by Rwanda, Kenya and Botswana.

The teams will begin the second phase of round robin on Wednesday.

The tournament is expect to end on Saturday.

 

(NAN)