Providence, June 6: Uganda secured its first victory in a T20 World Cup match in a low-scoring thriller against Papua New Guinea at the Providence Stadium here.
Uganda dismissed Papua New Guinea for 77 on Wednesday but had to work extra hard for their three-wicket victory, losing its first three wickets by the start of the third over in reply and then slipping to 26-5 before rallying to reach 78-7 with 10 balls remaining.
Riazat Ali Shah’s 33 was more than double the highest score by any other batter in the match, but he was out with Uganda three runs away from victory.
He had two big reprieves – chopping an inside edge just over his stumps before he’d scored with Uganda on 8-3 and again when he was on 9 and the total at 35-5 when Charles Amini put down a regulation catch in the 9th over.
Uganda rallied to set up victory with a 35-run sixth-wicket partnership between Riazat and Juma Miyagi (13) before a runout added an extra element of tension at the end.
“First win of a World Cup is a special win for us,” Riazat said. “It was not easy to bat on this wicket … our plan was just to stay in and take our time.”
Brief scores:Papua New Guinea 77 in 19.1 overs (Alpesh Ramjani 2/17, Cosmas Kyewuta 2/17, Juma Miyagi 2/10, Frank Nsubuga 2/4)/ Uganda: 78 for 7 in 18.2 overs (Riazat Ali Shah 33; Alei Nao 2/16, Norman Vanua 2/19). (AP)
