Day 2 of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024: Netherlands and Uganda Celebrate First Victories
The second day of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier saw Netherlands and Uganda secure their first wins. The matches took place on Saturday afternoon in Abu Dhabi. Netherlands kicked off their campaign with a resounding 100-run victory over Vanuatu at Tolerance Oval. Meanwhile, Uganda made a strong comeback from their initial loss, defeating the United States of America (USA) by eight wickets at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Star players of the day included Sterre Kalis of the Netherlands, who scored an impressive 70 runs, and Uganda’s Immaculate Nakisuuyi, who led her team to victory with an unbeaten 68 runs.
Match Recap: Vanuatu vs Netherlands
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The Netherlands made a strong debut in the Qualifier, defeating Vanuatu by a significant 100 runs. Netherlands’ opener and captain, Heather Siegers, was the first to be dismissed, bowled out by Selina Solman for six runs.
Experienced players Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede quickly recovered, taking their team to 49/1 in the Powerplay with a 16-run sixth over. The pair managed a 43-run stand before Nasimana Navaika dismissed de Leede for 18 (16).
Kalis continued to dominate the game, scoring her sixth T20I half-century off 40 balls and adding another 20 in her next 11 deliveries to finish with 70 from 51. Her performance helped the Netherlands reach a total of 154/6.
Vanuatu struggled from the start, losing wickets at crucial moments. Rachel Andrew was the first to fall, bowled out by Iris Zwilling for six runs. The Netherlands’ Silver Siegers (2/11) and Caroline de Lange (2/8) took two wickets each, while Merel Dekeling finished with 1/7. With three run-outs, Netherlands bowled Vanuatu out for 54, with only Gillian Chilia (11*) scoring in double figures.
Kalis was awarded Player of the Match for her outstanding performance with the bat.
Match Recap: Uganda vs USA
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Immaculate Nakisuuyi was the star player for Uganda, scoring an unbeaten half-century in their first Qualifier win.
The USA, playing their first match of the tournament, had a steady start thanks to opener Disha Dhingra, who scored 25 off 24 balls. However, Uganda bowlers Sarah Walaza and Sarah Akiteng each took a wicket of the USA openers in the first eight overs, shifting the momentum in their favour.
A solid 40-run partnership between USA’s captain, Sindhu Sriharsha, and Ritu Singh set the stage for a strong finish. However, a flurry of wickets fell just as the USA were approaching the final five overs. Sriharsha was dismissed in the 17th over, caught by Rita Musamali for 26 – the highest score for the USA on the day.
The next over saw Geetika Kodali run out by Rita Musamali while attempting a second run off an overthrow. Despite this, the USA managed to regroup and finish strong in the final over, adding 11 runs thanks to Gargi Bhogle’s 19-run cameo, taking them to 110/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
In their chase, Uganda faced an early setback with Prosscovia Alako dismissed for a duck. The USA claimed another wicket in the Powerplay, Esther Iloku, who was caught behind for two off Isani Vaghela. Uganda ended the first six overs with 13/2 on the board.
With 98 runs needed from 84 balls and a required run rate of seven, Uganda needed a strong partnership to turn the match in their favour. Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Stephani Nampiina delivered just that. Nakisuuyi scored her second T20I fifty, bringing it up in 53 balls. The pair showed nerves of steel, timing the chase perfectly and amassing 102 runs for the third wicket in 82 balls to secure Uganda’s first win of the Qualifier.
Nakisuuyi finished with an unbeaten 68 off 64 balls to win the Player of the Match award, while Nampiina scored a commendable 33 in 27 balls.
Summary of Scores:
Match 5:
Netherlands defeated Vanuatu by 100 runs
Netherlands 154 for 6, 20 overs (Sterre Kalis 70, Babette De Leede 18; Nasimana Navaika 2-29, Selina Solman 2-35)
Vanuatu 54 all out, 19.5 overs (Gillian Chilia 11; Caroline De Lange 2-8, Silver Siegers 2-11)
Player of the match – Sterre Kalis
Match 6:
Uganda defeated USA by eight wickets
USA 110 for 5, 20 overs (Sindhu Sriharsha 26, Disha Dhingra 25; Sarah Akiteng 1-18, Sarah Walaza 1-19)
Uganda 111 for 2, 18.2 overs (Immaculate Nakisuuyi 68 not out, Stephanie Nampiina 33 not out; Geetika Kodali 1-12)
Player of the match – Immaculate Nakisuuyi