T20 World Cup 2024, Match 9: Uganda beat PNG by 3 wickets - Cricket Winner

The ninth match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between PNG vs Uganda at Providence Stadium in Guyana. Uganda cricket team made history by beating PNG by three wickets and registering their first-ever win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. Uganda chased down a 78-run target with three wickets and 10 balls in hand as well.

Uganda put pressure on Papua New Guinea after electing to bowl first. Alpesh Ramjani struck in the second ball and removed Assad Vala on a duck. Tony Ura and Tony Ura also got out on single-digit scores. After the initial hiccups, Lega Siaka and Hiri Hiri started to stead the ship.

Nsubuga made headlines with the ball

However, that didn’t last long as Siaka ran out. Later, Kiplin Doriga tried to score with 12 off 20 and hit a maximum too. But lack of support from the other end, saw them get all out for only 77 runs on the board in 19.1 overs.

Alpesh Ramjani, Cosmas Kyewuta, Juma Miyagi and Frank Nsubuga picked two wickets each whereas only three PNG batters could reach the double digits. Uganda captain Brian Masaba also bowled four overs while conceding 17 runs and picked a wicket.

On the other hand, 43-year-old left-arm spinner Nsubuga conceded just four runs in four overs to break South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje’s (7/4) record for the most economical 4-over spell in Men’s T20 World Cup history as well.

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While chasing, Uganda also lost four wickets in the powerplay and they were soon five down for 26 in 6.3 overs as well. Just when it looked like PNG could bounce back in the game, a crucial 34-run stand between Riazat Ali Shah and Juma (13) kept Uganda in control of the run-chase.

Riazat Ali Shah stepped up with the bat

However, Shah was dismissed for 33 off 56 with Uganda needing just three runs to win from 13 balls. Later, Kenneth Waiswa hit a delivery and ran a double on the second ball of the 19th over to seal the deal. With this, they scripted Uganda’s historic first win in an ICC event.

Lowest total in T20 World Cup win at –

3rd wicket – 6 – Uganda v PNG, today
4th wicket – 25 – Uganda v PNG, today
5th wicket – 26 – Uganda v PNG, today
7th wicket – 75 – Uganda v PNG, today

Also, this is the first-ever T20I innings with 4 successful DRS taken. Moreover, an umpire’s call was taken at 4.5 overs when Oman took the review.

0.3 over – Successful review by Aus
0.5 over – Successful review by Oman
11.6 over – Successful review by Oman
12.4 over – Successful review by Oman

With this victory, Uganda jumped to the third spot in Group C as well. PNG, who have now lost both games, are at the bottom of the five-team table which also includes New Zealand, Afghanistan and West Indies as well.

Brian Masaba, Uganda captain said after the game: “Pretty special win for us, first win at the World Cup. Doesn’t get more special than this. Super proud of this group of guys, put in the work, to get a win for their country at the World Cup is very special. It’s been quite a journey, 3-4 years of very hard work both by the players and the board back home to make this happen. Getting to the World Cup was very special, this is even more special.”