PNG vs UGA | Cranes take flight in low-scoring thriller to register Uganda's maiden World Cup triumph

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Uganda defied the odds in Guyana to script a historic first World Cup win in the nation's nascent cricketing history while denying Papua New Guinea the same privilege. A heroic bowling effort restricted PNG to 77 but a sturdy defence from their rivals dragged the chase till the penultimate over.

‌Brief score: UGA 78/7 (18.2) [Riazat 33(56), Miyagi 13(16); Nao 2/16(4)] defeat PNG 77 (19.1) [Hiri 15(19), Siaka 12(17); Nsubuga 2/4(4)] by three wickets

The wily left-arm orthodox spinner Alpesh Ramjani got Uganda off to a dream start with a wicket maiden, trapping rival skipper Assad Vala plumb in front of the stumps on the second ball of the innings. World Cup debutant Juna Miyagi compounded PNG's misery with another blow in the third over before Tony Ura succumbed to Cosmas Kyewuta's rapid pace six deliveries later. Lega Siaka and Hiri Hiri ensured the team suffered no further losses in the powerplay but some casual running between the stumps snapped the 17-run stand soon after to leave them reeling at 36/4. The spinners thereafter ensured the Oceania nation was not allowed to relieve any pressure with disciplined bowling on a dry track, their efforts led by the oldest player at the tournament Frank Nsubuga. The 43-year-old conceded just four runs in as many overs and bowled two wicket-maidens to cripple PNG to 65/7 with just the death overs to come. The tail couldn't do much damage either and Uganda were thus set a paltry target of 78 in pursuit of history.

However, it was never going to be easy for the African side as was made clear by Alei Nao dispatching Roger Mukasa for a duck in the opening over. Norman Vanue replicated the effort to get rid of Robinson Obuya before Nao returned to get rid of the other opener Simon Ssesazi, leaving the Cranes reeling at 6/3. A stabilizing act ensued from Riazat Ali Shah and Ramjani but was only worth 19 when Chad Soper broke through to dismiss the latter. Dinesh Nakrani followed suit four deliveries later and PNG improbably found themselves in the driver's seat at 26/5 with the powerplay done. However, 21-year-old Juma Miyagi showed excellent composure alongside Riazat to keep the scoreboard ticking and inch Uganda closer to the target. The duo had added 35 for the sixth wicket when some tragic running threatened a final twist in the tale and Riazat getting caught for 33 with three runs set up a finish for the ages. Eventually, PNG were left rueing several catch drops and the 15 wides when Kenneth Waiswa hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.

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Big win

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UGA win

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1st ever

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