T20 World Cup 2024: PNG vs UGA- Who said What?

Source: CricTracker

Team Uganda (UGA) scripted history in Guyana against Papua New Guinea (PNG) as they clinched their first-ever victory in their maiden T20 World Cup appearance. Notably, on Thursday, June 6, the Brian Masaba-led side showed resistance in a low thriller which was the Match 9 of the battle of the associates.

Masaba after winning the toss chose to have a go with the ball first. Uganda bowlers were on song with the ball early on as they gave early jolts to PNG and dismissed key players like Tony Ura and skipper Assad Vala. Speaking of Papua New Guinea's batting, only Lega Siaka (12 off 17 balls) and Hiri Hiri (15 off 19 balls) managed to reach double figures while the rest of the team got folded quite cheaply.

However, the star of the day was Franco Nsubuga who put up a stellar bowling display despite being the oldest player of the squad. Notably, the 43-year-old who made his debut for Uganda in 2019, first claimed the wicket of the top scorer Hiri Hiri and then dismissed Charles Amini (5 off 14 balls). The magnitude of his bowling effort can be understood by the fact that out of his four-over spell, Nsubuga conceded (2/4) only four runs and claimed two wickets along with as many maidens. This meant that the Ugandan became the bowler who conceded the least run in the history of the Men's T20 World Cup surpassing South Africa's Anrich Nortje's record created just recently against Sri Lanka. Consequently, Papua New Guinea got skittled for a mere 77 runs.

In reply, Papua New Guinea ensured that the match was not one-sided as they put Uganda under immense pressure by taking three wickets in quick succession. Alei Nao trapped openers Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi lbw (leg before wicket) with a score reading 3/6 in 2.1 overs of the run chase. After that, it was Riazat Ali Shah who led the Ugandan batting from the front with a match-defining knock (33 off 56 balls). Shah also stitched a vital 19-run stand with Alpesh Ramjani (8 off 10 balls) before Chad Soper cleaned the latter. After that, PNG skipper Assad Vala introduced himself and claimed a wicket leaving Uganda five down.

But the thrilling game took a wild turn when Ali Shah was given a lifeline after he was dropped at point and this resulted in him stitching another valuable 35-run partnership with Juma Miyagi (13 off 16). In the end, Shah departed when the Cranes needed just three runs to win. For a fitting win, Uganda skipper Brian Masaba was standing at the other end as Waiswa took a double run to seal the historic win for the East African nation.