Zimbabwe beat Uganda to win the Victoria Tri Series

Zimbabwe won the T20I Victoria Tri Series held in Uganda comfortably without losing a single game in the series versus Kenya and the hosts Uganda.

The matches were played between 6th - 10th April and the venues were Lugogo Oval and Kyambogo Oval in Kampala.

Match 1

The Victoria Tri Series kicked off at Lugogo Cricket Oval as Zimbabwe took on Kenya. Kenya gave the debut to all their playing XI and Granger made her debut for Zimbabwe. Kenya won the toss and elected to field first. Zimbabwe openers Mupachikwa and Mushangwe added 52 runs for the first wicket but Kenya restricted Zimbabwe to 102-8 in their 20 overs. Granger took 3 wickets as Kenya could only manage 96-9 in their 20 overs. Zimbabwe won the match by 6 runs as Granger won player of the match on her debut.

Points Tally: Zimbabwe 2, Kenya 0, Uganda 0.

 

Match 2

Second match of the tournament was played on the same day between hosts Uganda and Kenya. Busingye and Kayondo made their debut for Uganda. Kenya won the toss and elected to field first. Uganda were all out for 110 in 18.5 overs as on the back of Aweko's unbeaten 22 off 13 delivers while batting at number 9. Abel took 5-18 for Kenya. Chasing 111 for victory, Kenyan inning collapsed for 76 all out in 15.5 overs, thus handing Uganda a 34-run victory. Abel was declared player of the match for her impressing bowling display.

Points Tally: Uganda 2, Zimbabwe 2, Kenya 0.

 

Match 3

Venue for the third match between Uganda and Kenya was Kyambogo Cricket Oval. Kenya gave debut to Idambo. Uganda won the toss and elected to chase. After the initial setbacks Kenya received to post 100-7 in 20 overs, thanks to Ooko who remained unbeaten on 30. Uganda chased the score with loss of 3 wickets and 10 balls to spare as Musamali topped the score with 35. Nakisuuyi arrived at the crease with 24 runs to win and scored 23 of them in just 9 deliveries with 2 fours and 2 sixes. She was awarded player of the match for her heroics on the field.

Points Tally: Uganda 4, Zimbabwe 2, Kenya 0

 

Match 4

Second fixture of the day was played between Zimbabwe and Uganda at the same venue. Uganda gave debut to Anyipo. For the fourth match in a row, the team that won the toss, chose to field first. After a 42-run partnership for the opening wicket, Zimbabwe reached 115-6 after 20 overs on the back of Ndiraya who remained unbeaten on 26. Uganda never recovered after losing early wickets and managed to reach 91-8. Zimbabwe won the match by 24 runs in which Marange was declared player of the match.

Points Tally: Zimbabwe 4, Uganda 4, Kenya 0.

 

Match 5

After a 1-day rest, the action resumed at Lugogo Cricket Oval for the first fixture of the day between Kenya and Zimbabwe. The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled and both the teams shared a point.

Points Tally: Zimbabwe 5, Uganda 4, Kenya 1.

 

Match 6

In the second fixture between Zimbabwe and Uganda, Zimbabwe chose to field first and bowled out Uganda for just 65 in 16.5 overs. Sibanda, Granger, Marange and Mushangwe all took 2 wickets each. Zimbabwe's openers Mupachikwa and Mushangwe almost took their side home without losing a wicket but Mupachikwa fell for 36 with just 2 runs to win. Mushangwe remained unbeaten on 20 and was awarded player of the match for her all-round performance.

Points Tally: Zimbabwe 7, Uganda 4, Kenya 1.

 

Final

Hosts Uganda and Zimbabwe met in the final of the tournament which took place at Lugogo Cricket Oval on 10th April. Uganda kept to the tournament's trend of chasing the score after winning the toss and elected to field first. Mushangwe and Mupachikwa again started confidently and added 49 for the first wicket. Mugeri was the top scorer with 29 as Zimbabwe posted 118-5 after 20 overs. Chasing 119 to win, Uganda made a good start as the openers added 38 runs. But rest of the team couldn't continue the momentum due to disciplined bowling by Granger and Mushangwe, who picked 3 wickets each and Uganda inning folded at 93-8. Zimbabwe won the match by 25 runs and thus remained undefeated in the tournament.

Zimbabwe's Mupachikwa was the highest scorer in the tournament with 105 runs and her compatriot Granger had a fine debut series with the ball as she topped the charts with 10 wickets.