The Women’s Day Cup 2025 resumed with engaging cricket at Entebbe Oval. Namibia triumphed over Nepal with a score of 125 to 102, while Uganda fell to Hong Kong China, who chased down a total of 124 runs. Uganda’s defeat left them in third place, with Hong Kong China topping the standings. Key milestones were achieved by Victoria Pearls players, amid a focus on upcoming matches in the series.
The Women’s Day Cup 2025 resumed on a positive note at Entebbe Oval, featuring competitive matches among four teams striving for ranking points. Namibia faced Nepal in the morning session, while Uganda matched up against Hong Kong China later in the day. Unlike previous days, the weather conditions were favorable, with temperatures resting between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, accompanied by clear skies, providing an ideal backdrop for cricket.
In the opening match, Namibia rebounded from prior setbacks, asserting their dominance against Nepal. After winning the toss, Nepal elected to bowl first, a decision that initially favored them as they dismissed Namibia’s openers early. Nevertheless, Namibia regained control, concluding their innings with a score of 125 runs, thanks largely to notable contributions from Yasmeen Khan, Wilka Mwatile, and Arrasta Diergaardt. Despite a commendable bowling performance from Nepal’s Ishwori Bist, who secured three wickets, Namibia showcased their batting depth.
In pursuit of 126 runs, Nepal’s innings faltered promptly with an early wicket. Although some players, including Sana Praveen and Indu Barma, reached double figures, they struggled against Namibia’s disciplined bowling. The Namibian bowlers displayed exceptional skills, with Eveleen Kejarukua delivering a standout performance by taking two wickets for 11 runs. Ultimately, Nepal fell short, finishing with 102 runs, thus handing Namibia a 23-run victory.
The afternoon match led to a disappointment for the Victoria Pearls, who seemed on course to win against Hong Kong China but ultimately faltered. Winning the toss, Uganda opted to bat, achieving their highest score to date in the tournament at 123 runs, courtesy of a robust partnership between Rita Musamali and birthday girl Stephanie Nampiina. However, their bowling performance fell dramatically short, plagued by poor fielding and missed opportunities.
Hong Kong China entered the chase determined, with several batters contributing crucial runs. Despite Uganda’s Sarah Akiteng and Immaculate Nakisuuyi delivering effective bowling spells, Hong Kong China capitalized on Uganda’s lapses in fielding. The match tightened as it neared the end, but ultimately Hong Kong China clinched victory with a score of 124 runs, surpassing Uganda by four wickets.
Following the completion of matches, the standings revealed that Uganda slid to third place, accumulating four points, while Hong Kong China ascended to the top with six points. Namibia secured second place, and Nepal remained at the bottom.
Looking ahead, the Women’s Day Cup will continue on March 13, 2025, with more exciting matchups scheduled. Additionally, some individual milestones emerged during the matches, notably Immaculate Nakisuyi and Janet Mbabazi earning their spots in the 1000+ career runs club. Young bowler Irene Mutoni also made her significant debut, further contributing to her team’s spirit after successfully transitioning into senior cricket.
The Women’s Day Cup showcased intriguing matches as Namibia celebrated a solid victory over Nepal, while Uganda experienced heartbreak against Hong Kong China. The favorable playing conditions contributed to some stellar performances, albeit with Uganda’s shortcomings in execution. The tournament remains highly competitive, with implications for rankings and individual accolades as the series continues. This event highlights not only team efforts but also the emergence of promising talents in women’s cricket.
Original Source: kawowo.com
