Baby Victoria Pearls Suffer Defeat to Nigeria in U19 World Cup Qualifier Opener

Uganda 59/7 in 20 overs
Nigeria 60/6 in 13.1 overs

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Uganda’s Baby Victoria Pearls suffered a disappointing start to their ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifiers campaign, falling to a four-wicket defeat against Nigeria in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Uganda batted first but struggled to build momentum, managing just 59 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The low total ultimately proved too difficult to defend as Nigeria completed the chase in 13.1 overs.

Shadia Gilingish Nabulime top-scored for Uganda with 22 runs from 34 balls, hitting two boundaries before her innings came to an end in the 18th over.

Nabulime was caught by Peace Usen off the bowling of Nigeria captain Christabel Chukwuonye. She had come to the crease at the end of the fifth over as Uganda’s third batter, following captain Jamia Muhammad Abdallah.

Abdallah scored 13 runs from 25 balls before being caught by Shola Adekunle. She also made an impact with the ball, finishing as Uganda’s second-best bowler.

Nigeria’s bowlers were disciplined throughout the innings, with Chisom Okpe producing an outstanding spell. She conceded just four runs in four overs at an economy rate of 1.00 while taking two wickets. Anointed Akhigbe, Shola Adekunle and Peace Usen also impressed with the ball.

Defending a modest target, Uganda made an encouraging start when they broke Nigeria’s opening partnership in the fourth over.

Captain Jimia Muhammad Abdallah completed the catch to dismiss Beauty Oguai off the bowling of Sarah Tino after 3.2 overs.

Nigeria, however, remained composed in the chase. Chukwuonye provided a quick burst of runs, scoring 13 off 10 balls before being bowled by Tino in the sixth over, but her contribution had already helped Nigeria move closer to the target.

Opening batter Omosigho Eguakun then anchored the chase with 24 runs from 29 balls, while the rest of the Nigerian batters remained below double figures.

Inyene Umoh and Peace Usen eventually completed the chase in 13.1 overs, scoring six runs each and remaining unbeaten.

For Uganda, Sarah Tino was the standout bowler, taking five wickets despite conceding 20 runs in four overs. Mariam Birabwa claimed one wicket for 11 runs in three overs.

The defeat leaves Uganda with little room for error as they prepare to face hosts Tanzania in a must-win Group A encounter on August 31.

The Baby Victoria Pearls must secure victory to keep their hopes of reaching the 2027 ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal alive.