Uganda pull through in low-scoring game for maiden WC win

Uganda and Papua New Guinea endured contrasting fortunes in their second game of the T20 World Cup as the former registered a famous win. Despite getting mauled by Afghanistan in their first game, Uganda came back strong against a PNG side that showed a lot of character against the hosts West Indies in their previous encounter. In the end, Uganda came out on top in the low-scoring game for their maiden World Cup win.

Where was the game won?

At the death. Until then, PNG had a chance to pull off a dramatic win. The two teams had pretty identical scores after the 15th over and had lost six wickets each. PNG tumbled from there on to get all out whereas Uganda held their nerve and got the job done despite losing one wicket in that phase.

Papua New Guinea

Powerplay: Disaster strikes early

Phase score - 33/3 [RR: 5.5, 4s/6s: 3/0]

Not a lot can go right when your skipper departs for a second-ball duck in the game. He also took a review with him back to the pavilion after opting to challenge a decision that was pretty straightforward. While PNG did fetch some plucky boundaries after that, two wickets in the space of seven deliveries put them on the backfoot.

Middle overs: The downfall continues

Phase score - 23/3 [RR: 2.55, 4s/6s: 1/0]

Literally, just one boundary was hit in this phase. And that tells you a story. That run rate of 2.55 tells you a story that was even more concerning. A needless run out, combined with Frank Nsubuga's stunning spell added to the batting side's woes. PNG just couldn't put spin away on a surface that was slow and low. Charles Amini tried to break the shackles against the 43-year-old but lost his stumps. Nsubuga bowled back-to-back wicket maidens and finished with figures of 4-2-4-2 - the most economical in T20 World Cup history.

Death overs: A swift end

Phase score - 21/4 [RR: 5.04, 4s/6s: 0/1]

Kiplin Doriga, who was struggling at 4 off 16, gave the batting side some hope when he danced down the track to hit the first six of the innings. But that was PNG's only highlight at the death as they kept losing wickets. Doriga got trapped leg-before-wicket in the same over and skipper Brian Masaba struck in the next over. PNG couldn't bat out their 20 overs as their misery came to an end with just 77 on the board.

Uganda

Powerplay: PNG's fightback

Phase score - 25/4 [RR: 6.25, 4s/6s: 1/0]

Just one four in an entire powerplay. That was one telling stat. The fact that they got to 25 runs was quite remarkable given the way they batted. Uganda were aided by plenty of wides in that powerplay in which they totally looked out of depth. First 13 balls provided three wickets as PNG made a stunning start. From 6/3, they slowly dragged themselves to safety before Alpesh Ramjani's stumps were shattered just before the end of the powerplay.

Middle overs: A period of consolidation

Phase score - 40/2 [RR: 4.44, 4s/6s: 1/0]

Assad Vala made amends for his failure with the bat by striking in his first over immediately after the powerplay to leave Uganda reeling at 26/5. At this point, PNG were certainly favourites to fetch the win. However, Riazat Ali Shah and Miyagi stepped up for a period of consolidation. With the required run rate not a problem, they were content playing it safe by just ticking the scorecard. Riazat also received a reprieve that he made good use of. The two batters could have even seen their side home but Miyagi's push for a non-existent second run gave room for drama at the death.

Death: Job well done, Uganda!

Phase score: 13/1 [RR: 3.90, 4s/6s: 0/0]

Thankfully for Uganda, the target was small enough for them to scrape through even with a complete lack of conviction. Regular singles brought the target down to a single-digit score before Riazat departed while attempting a glory shot. The game was pretty much done by that point and hence it didn't affect his side as the famous win was completed with 10 balls to spare.

Brief scores: PNG 77 in 19.1 overs (Frank Nsubuga 2/4, Juma Miyagi 2/10) lost to Uganda 78/7 in 18.2 overs (Riazat Ali Khan 33; Alei Nao 2/16) by 3 wickets

What next?

This game was always going to be the best bet for both these teams to open their accounts. And now that it's out of the way, bigger challenges will resume. Uganda will take on the hosts West Indies on Saturday at the same venue. PNG on the other hand, will have a long break before facing Afghanistan in Trinidad on June 13.