* PNG’s bowlers gave a glimmer of hope after they folded for their lowest T20I score ever (Match 9)
By Marlon Dale Ferreira
In a nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat thriller, Uganda secured their first-ever win at the T20 World Cup with a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG). On a pitch that could have doubled as a minefield, PNG managed to score a mere 77 runs before Uganda, who were themselves in a pickle at 26 for 5, eventually crossed the finish line in the 19th over.
Riazat Ali Shah, one of Uganda’s brightest stars, displayed the patience of a saint with his careful 33 off 56 balls, guiding Uganda through the treacherous chase. Falling just three runs shy of the target, his innings was a masterclass in keeping one’s cool. PNG, meanwhile, may want to rethink their bowling strategy, especially after conceding 15 wides—second only to their own batting in contributions to the scorecard.
The true story of the day was Uganda’s superb bowling in the first innings, orchestrated by the unlikely duo of 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga and 21-year-old Juma Miyagi. Both justified their spots in the team with stellar performances. Nsubuga delivered a spell that would make a miser proud, with figures of 4-2-4-2, making him the bowler with the most economical four-over spell in T20 World Cup history. He also became only the second bowler to bowl 20 dot balls in a T20 World Cup match, following in the footsteps of Ajantha Mendis.
Alpesh Ramjani kicked things off by claiming a wicket on the second ball, dismissing Assad Vala with a delivery that could have cut through steel. Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta then kept PNG under constant pressure with their pace. Sese Bau failed to clear Miyagi, and Roger Mukasa took a tumbling catch at mid-off. Kyewuta claimed the prize wicket of Tony Ura, PNG’s top run-scorer in T20Is, with another catch by Mukasa. Lega Siaka, feeling the heat of playing out dot balls, was run out in a desperate attempt for a second run.
Nsubuga slid one through Charles Amini’s leg stump in the 11th over, becoming the second-oldest bowler to take a wicket in the T20 World Cup. He followed this up by trapping Hiri Hiri lbw, although it initially seemed like the batter had come too far down the wicket. However, the review favored Uganda. Ramjani added to the chaos by trapping Kiplin Doriga lbw for 12. Captain Brian Masaba got in on the action, delivering a topspinner that went through Chad Soper’s defenses. Miyagi and Kyewuta mopped up the tail, with PNG bowled out with five balls to spare.
Alei Nao gave PNG an identical start by removing Mukasa in the first over for a second consecutive duck. Norman Vanua then removed Robinson Obuya, who holed out to mid-on, where Vala was conveniently placed. Nao continued his rampage by trapping Simon Ssesazi lbw in the third over, leaving Uganda reeling at 6 for 3. Ramjani struck a boundary, trying to stabilize the innings with Riazat, but Soper sliced through Ramjani’s defense in the sixth over. When PNG captain Vala caught and bowled Dinesh Nakrani, PNG seemed on the brink of a miraculous comeback.
With Uganda at a precarious 35 for 5, Amini dropped a crucial catch, allowing Riazat to continue. This turned out to be the turning point in the chase. Riazat notched his only boundary in the 11th over with a stylish cover drive against Vala. He added 35 runs with Miyagi for the sixth wicket, but a mix-up in the 14th over led to Miyagi’s run out. Riazat remained unfazed, and despite PNG’s efforts, including Bau dropping Kenneth Waiswa, Uganda inched closer. Riazat fell in the 18th over, but by then, the victory was within reach. John Kariko’s excellent catch at deep third was a little too late to change the outcome.
Uganda’s historic win, sealed with a mix of youthful exuberance and seasoned precision, marks a memorable milestone in their T20 World Cup journey.
Chief Scores
Papua New Guinea 77 all out in 19.1 overs (Hiri Hiri 15, Frank Nsubuga 2 for 4, Juma Miyagi 2 for 10, Cosmas Kyewuta 2 for 17, Alpesh Ramjani 2 for 17)
Uganda 78 for 7 in 18.2 overs (Riazat Ali Shah 33, Alei Nao 2 for 16,Norman Vanua 2 for 19)
Player of the Match – Riazat Ali Shah
