Opting to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive total of 173/5, spearheaded by Johnson Charles‘s aggressive 44 and Andre Russell‘s late blitz of 30 not out.While Brandon King (13) provided an initial spark alongside Charles, it was Nicholas Pooran‘s quickfire 22 that injected momentum into the innings.
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Uganda’s bowling attack, led by skipper Brian Masaba (2/31) and Alpesh Ramjani (2/28), displayed moments of control and discipline, managing to pick up wickets at regular intervals and restricting the West Indies’ scoring rate. However, Russell’s explosive hitting in the final overs ensured a challenging target for the Ugandan side.
AS IT HAPPENED: WI vs UGA | T20 World Cup
Uganda’s chase never gained traction, crumbling under the pressure exerted by Akeal Hosein’s masterful spin bowling. Hosein’s spell of 5/11, his career-best figures, decimated the Ugandan batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 39 runs in 12 overs – the joint-lowest total in men’s T20 World Cup history.
Hosein’s impact was immediate and devastating. He struck early, dismissing Roger Mukasa with the second ball of the innings. He continued to dismantle the Ugandan top order, removing Alpesh Amjani and Riazar Ali Shah in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 8/3 inside the powerplay.
The Ugandan batsmen appeared clueless against Hosein’s guile and variations, struggling to read his deliveries and succumbing to his relentless pressure. He returned in his final over to claim two more wickets, completing his maiden five-wicket haul and etching his name in the record books with the best bowling figures by a West Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history.
This emphatic victory significantly bolsters West Indies’ net run rate to a healthy 3.574, strengthening their position in Group C and bolstering their chances of securing a top-two finish.
Brief scores:
West Indies: 173 for 5 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 44, Nicholas Pooran 22, Rovman Powell 23, Sherfane Rutherford 22, Andre Russell 30 not out; Brian Masaba 2/31).
Uganda: 39 all out in 12 overs (Akeal Hosein 5/11).
(Inputs from PTI)
