Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup 2024 qualification hopes took a major blow after Uganda beat them with five wickets and five balls in hand at Windhoek.
After Zimbabwe scored an early goal to reduce Uganda to 12-2, Alpesh Ramjani hit back, hitting 40 off 49 balls for 26, hitting two fours and two sixes.
After Sean Williams caught Ramjani, one-drop batsman Roger Mukasa hung on and scored a 33-ball 23 before Wesley Madhevia was dismissed, leaving Uganda at 95 for four.
At this point, Dinesh Nakrani joined Riazat Ali Shah and the pair added 38 in just four overs, taking Uganda closer to a famous victory. Ali Shah in particular played a key role with his 28-ball 42 (5 fours, 1 six).
Uganda needed 30 from the last three overs but Ali Shah and Nakulani (14 not out off 10 balls, 4 for 4, 1 for 6) got 20 in the 18th over bowled by Tendai Chatala This was the match that decided Uganda’s championship. Good feeling. When Richard Ngalava sacked Ali Shah, it was too late.
Captain Sikandar Raza managed to field three balls in the final over, but the first ball went for four byes to decide the match.
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This defeat was a big blow for Zimbabwe, who had lost in their first match of the tournament. Hosts Namibia were restricted to 132 for 8 and won by seven wickets with 32 balls.
Zimbabwe have two points from three games and are fourth in the points table behind Uganda (four points from three games). Namibia (net run rate +2.896) and Kenya (+0.188) each have six points. None of the other three teams (Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania) have won a match so far.
Earlier in the match, Zimbabwe were losing 136-7 after Uganda captain Brian Masaba bowled at the United Cricket Club ground. The score was 71-4 after 12 overs, but Raza hit 48 off 39 balls (two fours, four sixes). Uganda’s medium pacer Nakulani recovered with 3 wins and 14 losses from 4 overs.
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