In a closely encounter at the Entebbe Cricket Ground, Namibia A emerged victorious by 2 runs over Uganda A in the opening game of the Pearl of Africa Series. The match, played under overcast and windy conditions in the morning, delivered thrilling moments right until the final ball.
Namibia A won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers JC Balt and Zacheo van Vuuren laid a solid foundation, capitalizing on the fielding restrictions early on. The duo built a fluent 78-run partnership, with van Vuuren scoring a brisk 43 off 32 balls before falling to Brighton Mukhani in the 11th over.
Captain JC Balt continued to anchor the innings with a composed 48 off 41 deliveries, striking 5 fours and a six. He was eventually dismissed in the 14th over. Despite a few quick wickets in the closing stages, Namibia A managed to post a competitive total of 145/6 after 20 overs.
In response, Uganda A’s chase was anchored by an outstanding knock from senior player, Simon Ssesazi, who crafted a measured 66 off 66 balls. He found support from Pascal Murungi (17 off 14) and Anas Baig (16 off 15), keeping the hosts within touching distance of the target.
Namibia A’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs. Jan Izak de Villiers who came to bowl in the 10th Over made an immediate impact with the ball, striking twice in quick succession to remove Anas Baig and Kenneth Waiswa. With the game on the edge, pacer Jack Brassell delivered a critical breakthrough in the 19th over, dismissing the well-set Ssesazi courtesy of the catch by Zhivago Groenewald.
Captain JC Balt entrusted the final over to Max Heingo, who delivered under pressure. A run-out and a last-ball LBW sealed a dramatic finish, as Uganda A fell just short, ending on 143/5.
Namibia A claimed a thrilling 2-run victory, a positive start in the series.
