Uganda’s Baby Victoria Pearls produced a commanding bowling performance against hosts Tanzania on Monday to put their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier campaign back on track in Dar es Salaam.
Uganda dismissed Tanzania for just 41 runs in 16.1 overs at the Tanzania Cricket Arena, a dramatic response from a side that had suffered a four-wicket defeat to Nigeria in its opening Group A match on Sunday.
The performance underlined the strength of Uganda’s bowling attack, which had already threatened to rescue the opening game despite the batters posting only 59/7 against Nigeria.
Sarah Tino was Uganda’s outstanding performer in that defeat, returning figures of 5/13 from four overs as Nigeria were made to work for their victory.
Against Tanzania, Uganda went a step further by denying the hosts the opportunity to build any meaningful partnerships as wickets fell regularly throughout the innings.
The response was exactly what Uganda required after entering the eight-team tournament knowing that there is little room for error, with only one qualification place available for the 2027 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Uganda are competing in Group A alongside Nigeria, Tanzania and Malawi, while Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya and Rwanda make up Group B. The top two teams from each group progress to the semifinals.
Before travelling to Tanzania, Uganda captain Jamia Mohammed Abdallah said the team was determined to avoid a repeat of the previous two qualifying campaigns, when the Baby Victoria Pearls fell at the semifinal stage.
“We are aware of what happened in Botswana and Rwanda, where we stopped in the semi-finals, and we are looking at changing that history,” Jamia said before the tournament.
Assistant captain Shadia Nabulime also pointed to the work undertaken by the squad ahead of the qualifiers, particularly in batting, fielding and physical preparation.
“We are physically, technically, and mentally prepared to overturn matters after missing out in 2022 and 2023,” Nabulime said.
Head coach Brian Masaba was equally clear about the challenge facing Uganda. “We know what is at stake, with only one slot available for the World Cup,” Masaba said before the team departed Kampala.
Monday’s bowling display will therefore provide encouragement, particularly after Uganda showed similar qualities against Nigeria.
The bigger concern remains the batting department. Uganda’s bowlers gave Nigeria a difficult chase after defending only 59, and the ability of the batting unit to consistently provide competitive totals could ultimately determine whether the Baby Victoria Pearls finally progress beyond the stage that ended their previous two World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Uganda conclude their Group A programme against Malawi on Wednesday, with qualification for the semifinals the immediate objective as they continue their pursuit of a maiden appearance at the global tournament.