Victoria Series | Matchday One

• Game 1: Uganda 74/6 beat Namibia 73/9 by 4 wickets
• Game 2: Rwanda 100/8 beat USA 86 all out by 14 runs

Uganda’s Victoria Pearls held their nerve to hold off a determined Namibia side in a low-scoring thriller in the morning clash of the Victoria Series.

In overcast conditions at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl first. Despite a strong start by Namibia Captain Sune Wittmann, especially against the slow medium pace of Sarah Walaza, a good passage of play edged the Victoria Pearls ahead, with Malisa Ariokot (3/9) the destroyer-in-chief and Consy Aweko (2/20) among the wickets.

The Capricon Eagles were on the ropes at 36/5, but a rear-guard resistance from Naomi Benjamin (20) helped them put on an emotional total of just 73/9 in their quota of 20 overs.

In the run chase, Namibia pegged back the hosts, losing their captain, Janet Mbabazi, on the second ball of the innings, with Proscovia Alako and Stephanie Nampiina not staying long either.

The Victoria Pearls were railing at 18/4 until two small partnerships anchored by Rita Musamali (42 not out) and involving Immaculate Nakisuyi and Kevin Awino got the required target within sight.

The hosts managed to cross the line to bring up their first win of the tournament and a morale-boosting performance.

Rita Musamali (42 not out) won the player of the match award for her fine batting performance under pressure.

The performance might not have been ideal, but the result counts a lot because it’s against an opponent who is in their side mirror in the global rankings.

In the other game of the day, Rwanda managed to resist a late surge from the USA to win by 14 runs.

A spirited team performance in the first innings helped the Americans restrict Rwanda to just 100 runs in their quota of 20 overs, but their run chase was hurt by the regular loss of wickets.

Rwanda got an important win that should give them morale ahead of the East African Derby against Uganda on Saturday afternoon.

The post Victoria Series: Rwanda, Victoria Pearls off the mark on opening day appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Edwin Kiplagat, Marabou News Agency

Cricket Uganda has named a 14-player main squad alongside two reserves for the upcoming 2026 Victoria women’s series tournament, which kicks off on November 6, 2026.

The four-nation tournament, running until November 14, will be played at the Entebbe Cricket Oval in Uganda.

Hosts and defending champions Uganda will welcome Rwanda, Namibia, and the United States. African teams will use the competition to prepare for the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifier finals.

The standout selection is Australian-based 23-year-old right-handed batting all-rounder Kampi Nainhabo, who is in line to make her international debut. Captain Janet Mbabazi will lead the full 14-player squad.

“It’s an opportunity for us to assess ourselves, know exactly where we are. The teams are good; it gives us the opportunity for the next year, which is big for us,” said Victoria Pearls coach Deus Muhumuza.

“Still, it is a ranking tournament points; we look to take the opportunity and collect as much as we can but most importantly, we will follow our process and make sure team plans are followed, and it gives us the best assessment after each game.”

Speaking on her call-up, debutant Kampi Nainhabo shared her excitement.

“I am extremely excited to have been selected to be part of the team. I think it is an amazing opportunity. My dad played for the Ugandan men’s team when he lived here, and it feels like such a privilege and an honour to be following in his footsteps as well,” said Kampi Nainhabo.

The hosts will kick off their tournament against Namibia on November 6, followed by the USA taking on Rwanda in the afternoon of the same day.

Teams will compete in a round-robin format through November 12, taking rest days on November 9 and 13, before closing with the third-place playoff and final on November 14.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post Uganda names squad for four-nation Victoria series tournament appeared first on Sports Network Africa.

The Victoria Pearls are stepping up preparations to defend their Victoria Series title when Uganda hosts Namibia, the United States and Rwanda in the fourth edition of the women’s T20 tournament next month.

Uganda’s senior women’s cricket team will have home advantage at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, where they hope to build on an impressive year that has already delivered two international titles.

The Pearls are training under head coach Dues Muhumuza, assistant coach Brian Masaba and health and conditioning coach Allan Otim. The players have been going through sessions on the grass and in the gym as the technical team prepares to name the final squad.

The work is intended to ensure the selected players are ready for the challenge when the tournament gets underway.

Unlike last year’s five-match bilateral series against Canada, the 2026 edition will feature four nations: hosts Uganda, Namibia, the USA and Rwanda.

The wider tournament window runs from November 4 to 14, with the women’s T20I competition scheduled for November 6–12 at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.

Uganda will open their campaign against Namibia on November 6 at 9:30 a.m. before taking on Rwanda the following day at 2:00 p.m.

The USA will provide the opposition on November 8 at 2:00 p.m., before Uganda face Namibia again on November 10 at 2:00 p.m. The Pearls will complete their scheduled matches against Rwanda on November 11 at 9:30 a.m. and the USA on November 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Victoria Pearls have a title to defend

Uganda head into the competition as defending champions after delivering a flawless performance against Canada in the 2025 edition.

Under captain Janet Mbabazi, the Pearls won all five matches at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala to complete a 5-0 whitewash and retain their crown.

They opened with a seven-wicket victory on October 20, 2025, before winning the second match by four wickets a day later.

Uganda then secured an 18-run victory in the third game on October 23 and followed it up with a 43-run win in the fourth match on October 24.

They completed the clean sweep with a 12-run victory on October 26.

The series underlined Uganda’s strength on home soil and helped them maintain their standing in the ICC T20I rankings.

It was also a memorable occasion for Mbabazi, who earned her 100th international cap for the senior women’s team during the final match.

This time, the Pearls face a different challenge. Namibia, the USA and Rwanda will offer varied opposition, forcing Uganda to remain sharp if they are to keep their title.

A competition growing in stature

The Victoria Series has given Uganda’s women a valuable platform to test themselves against international opposition since its first edition in 2019.

The inaugural tournament was a tri-series involving Uganda, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The Pearls reached the final at Lugogo but lost by 25 runs to Zimbabwe.

Despite falling short, the event made history as the first time matches played by Kenya’s women’s team carried official Women’s T20 International status.

Uganda returned stronger in the second edition, held from April 18 to 23, 2023. The five-team tournament also featured the United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya.

The Pearls topped the round-robin standings, highlighted by a thrilling three-run victory over Tanzania. Rain washed out the final between the two sides, leaving Uganda to claim the trophy by virtue of finishing top of the table.

The 2025 edition took a different route, with Canada visiting for a five-match bilateral series. Uganda made full use of home advantage, winning every game to secure a 5-0 series victory.

The fourth edition returns to a multi-nation format, bringing three visiting teams to Entebbe and giving the hosts another opportunity to measure their progress against international opposition.

Another chance to build momentum

The Pearls will arrive with confidence after an encouraging run in 2026. They haven’t played much, but the little they have played has been successful.

They began the year by winning the inaugural Easter Women’s T20 Cup, held in Entebbe from April 7 to 16. Uganda finished unbeaten after sweeping the USA women’s team.

In July, they travelled to Windhoek for the Capricorn Quadrangular Series and returned home as champions after beating hosts Namibia by 17 runs in the final.

Those victories have strengthened Uganda’s position and given the players more experience ahead of another demanding assignment.

The Victoria Series will offer further match time as the technical team works to build combinations and prepare the squad for the challenges ahead.

With preparations continuing on the grass and in the gym, Muhumuza and his assistants will be keen to ensure the players are ready when the final squad is announced.

Uganda will enjoy the advantage of familiar conditions at Entebbe, but Namibia, the USA and Rwanda will be determined to make their presence felt.

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