Kevin Awino takes Uganda to series win after collective bowling performance

An unbeaten 42 from Kevin Awino and a collective bowling performance helped Uganda win the five-match T20I series against Nepal with two matches to spare. Uganda registered a six-wicket win at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday (May 19) to go 3-0 up in the series.



After suffering two losses, Nepal opted to bat first and once again suffered an early loss when Bindu Rawal was castled by Phiona Kulume for just four. Jyoti Pandey and Sita Rana Magar took the side to 32 in the ninth over.



But the hosts were once again in trouble after Rana Magar fell with Indu Barma and Sarita Magar also walking back in quick succession. Pandey waged a lone battle and for a long time to keep Nepal on target for a competitive score.



Only skipper Rubina Chhetry gave her some support and contributed with a 15-ball 18 not out. Once Kulume came back to the attack and removed Pandey for 47, Nepal’s dream of reaching three-figures fell by the wayside and they eventually finished on 99 for eight in the stipulated 20 overs.



For Uganda, skipper Consylate Nimungu and Kulume took two wickets each.



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Chasing 100 for a series win, Uganda lost Leona Babirye early in the second over, but that didn’t deter them from going for the target. In-form Janet Mbabazi joined Awino and together made sure that Uganda have a solid platform in the chase.



The duo went at run-a-ball in the power play to take Uganda to 36 for one at the end of it. Although Nepal bowled a few frugal overs after that, wickets were hard to come by. By the time Barma struck to remove Mbabazi in the 14^th over, the pair had added 67 runs for the second wicket.



Despite losing her partner, Awino kept going even as two more wickets fell at the other end. She was batting on 42 not out on 51 balls when Kulume took Uganda home with a boundary in the 19^th over.



Brief Scores: Nepal 99/8 in 20 overs (Jyoti Pandey 47; Consylate Nimungu 2/22, Phiona Kulume 2/23) lost to Uganda 100/4 in 18.2 overs (Kevin Awino 42*, Janet Mbabazi 27; Kabita Kunwar 2/22) by six wickets