Uganda won in a low scoring thriller: defeated Papua New Guinea by 3 wickets, Riazat played a match winning innings of 33 runs

Riazat was declared player of the match.

A match was played between Uganda and Papua New Guinea in the ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday. Uganda, playing its first T20 World Cup, won the first match of the tournament. The team defeated Papua New Guinea by 3 wickets.

Uganda won the toss and chose to bowl at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Papua New Guinea, batting first, was all out for 77 runs in 19.1 overs. In reply, Uganda chased the target in 18.2 overs for the loss of 7 wickets.

Riazat Ali Shah played a match winning innings of 35 runs. Juma Miyagi scored 14 runs. Alpesh Ramzani, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyavuta and Frank Nsubuga got 2-2 wickets each from Uganda.

For Papua New Guinea, all-rounder Hiri Hiri scored the highest 15 runs. In bowling, Eli Nao and Norman Vanua got 2-2 successes.

Papua New Guinea innings: The team lost wickets continuously
PNG batsmen lost 3 wickets in the powerplay. The team suffered the first blow in the very first over. On the second ball of the match, Alpesh Ramjani dismissed Oman captain Assad Wala LBW. At the same time, Sesse Bau and Tony Ura were out after scoring 1 run. The team lost 4 wickets in the first 4 overs.

PNG kept losing wickets in quick succession, with Tony Ura, Lega Siaka and Charles Amini all departing without making a big score for their side. Frank Nsubuga then dealt Papua New Guinea another blow when he dismissed set batsman Hiri Hiri for 15. Alpesh Ramazani then dismissed Kiplin Doriga for 12. Uganda then dismissed Chad Soper, Eli Nao and Norman Vanua to bowl the team out for 77.

Uganda innings: 5 wickets lost for 26 runs, Riazat-Miyaji brought them close to the target
The start of the innings was not good for Uganda. The team lost 5 wickets in the first 7 overs. Papua New Guinea pacer Eli Nao gave the team success by taking the wicket of Roger Mukasa in the first over itself. Three wickets fell in three consecutive overs. Alpesh Ramzani and Dinesh Nakrani tried to handle the innings, but Ramzani returned to the pavilion in the sixth over and Nakran in the 7th over. The team’s score became 26 runs for 5 wickets after 6.3 overs.

However, Riazat Ali Shah and Juma Miyazi steadied the innings and shared a 35-run partnership. Riazat was dismissed after scoring 33 runs. In the end, Kenneth Waiswa (7) and captain Brian Masaba (0) remained unbeaten.

The Turning Point
A crucial 35-run partnership between Riazat Ali Shah and Juma Miyazi turned the match in Uganda’s favour. Papua New Guinea looked set for victory after losing 26 for 5. However, Shah and Juma Miyazi came in and added 35 runs in 43 balls to bring Uganda closer to the target.

Fighter of the Match
Papua New Guinea pacer Eli Nao was the fighter of the match. To defend the low score of 77 runs, Nao gave the team a great start and gave the team success in the first and third overs.

Playing XI of both the teams
Papua New Guinea: Tony Ura, Assad Vala (captain), Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Kiplin Doriga (wicketkeeper), Charles Amini, Norman Vanua, Eli Nao, Chad Soper and John Kariko.

Uganda: Simon Sesaji (wicketkeeper), Roger Mukasa, Robinson Obuya, Dinesh Nakrani, Riazat Ali Shah, Alpesh Ramazanialpe, Kenneth Waiswa, Brian Masaba (captain), Juma Miyazi, Cosmas Kyavuta and Frank Nsubuga.