Uganda U19s snatch title from Botswana

Cricket. Uganda are now multiple Africa Twenty20 champions after the U-19 girls latest feat when they won the ICC Africa tournament on Monday

Uganda rallied to win this year’s ICC Africa U-19 Ladies Cup on the final day at Lugogo Oval on Monday.

Coach Grace Mutyagaba’s girls were never in the title race until when favourites Botswana lost to Tanzania by 12 runs on Sunday.
That was cue enough for the hosts to rise to the occasion with spirited displays on the final day.

They defeated Mozambique by 57 runs at Budo before edging last year’s winners Tanzania in a nerve thriller by just a wicket to emerge top.

Ugandan skipper Rebecca Mirembe lost the toss and Tanzania were all out for 37 runs. Only Salum Sauma scored eight runs before she was caught by Rachael Ntono (3/10). Ntono was named player of the match. It was jittery chase for the home girls who reached the finish line with nine wickets down. Four of the nine wickets suffered were run outs while three batters were bowled out.

The win helped Uganda move to eight points, level with Botswana but the former’s net run rate (+1.307) was better than Botswana (+0.968) hence Uganda taking the title.

“I am happy we won,” said Mirembe, who was also Uganda’s captain in Dar es Salaam last year. “We played out our hearts on the day.” Botswana skipper Shameelah Mosweu was defiant in defeat. “We thought we would take the trophy). But I still congratulate Uganda.”

Botswana humiliated Uganda by seven wickets on Day One last Saturday and had they not lost to Tanzania - the title would have been theirs.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com