Uganda secured their maiden victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup with a hard-fought three-wicket win against Papua New Guinea (PNG) on a challenging pitch in Guyana, led by the bowling effort of 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga, who finished with 2-4 in his four overs.
A low-scoring thriller
Both teams, competing for their first win in the tournament, battled in a low-scoring match after PNG, put to bat, were bowled out for just 77. Uganda, despite facing early trouble at 26 for 5, managed to reach the target in the 19th over.
With the ball, Uganda's left-arm orthodox spinner Alpesh Ramjani set the tone early, taking a wicket on the second ball as Assad Vala was bowled. Roger Mukasa's impressive catch off Juma Miyagi's bowling removed Sese Bau, and Cosmas Kyewuta dismissed PNG's opener Tony Ura.
Ramjani and Captain Brian Masaba contributed with crucial wickets as the opposition was dismissed with five balls to spare.
Uganda 🇺🇬 etch their name in history with a first-ever #T20WorldCup victory in their debut tournament to secure a tense 3-wicket win against Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬
— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) June 6, 2024
Nicely done, Cricket Cranes 👏#WeAreCricketCranes pic.twitter.com/pg7u3gwZuh
Nsubuga breaks T20 World Cup record
The game's highlight was the exceptional bowling by the experienced Nsubuga. He delivered an extraordinary spell through the middle overs, recording figures of 4-2-4-2. His performance was the most economical in T20 World Cup history, behind Antich Nortje's figures of 4-7 (economy rate of 1.75) which he achieved against Sri Lanka earlier in this tournament.
Nsubuga also became only the second bowler to deliver 20 dot balls in a T20 World Cup game, a feat previously achieved by Ajantha Mendis in 2012. He was also the second-oldest to pick a wicket in the competition, after Ryan Campbell, who, at 44 years, had picked 2-28 for Hong Kong against Afghanistan in 2016. It helped shoot out PNG for a below-par score, but one that proved challenging on a slugging wicket.
Uganda's run chase began shakily, with Alei Nao removing Mukasa for a duck in the first over. Norman Vanua and Nao continued to apply pressure, reducing Uganda to 6 for 3. However, Riazat Ali Shah and Ramjani attempted to stabilize the innings, though the latter was dismissed by Chad Soper for eight. Riazat, dropped on 8 by Amini, played a pivotal role, adding 35 runs with Miyagi for the sixth wicket before he was run out.
Riazat scored a patient 33 off 56 balls, his effort bringing Uganda within three runs of their target before he was dismissed. PNG's bowling efforts were hampered by their waywardness as they conceded 15 wides, significantly aiding Uganda's chase, who celebrated their first World Cup win.
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