Uganda's bowlers and Riazat seal their first win in T20 World Cup history
PNG's bowlers gave some hope after they folded for their lowest T20I score ever, but Uganda held their nerve in the end
PNG's bowlers gave some hope after they folded for their lowest T20I score ever, but Uganda held their nerve in the end
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11:05pm That will be all from us for this game. Over in Barbados, Oman are struggling in their run-chase against Australia, tottering at 35-4 at the moment. Head over for all the action as Abhimanyu and Madushka bring it to you. Until next time, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat), Ranjith and Vairavan. Take care, folks!
Brian Masaba, Uganda captain: Pretty special win for us. First win at the World Cup, doesn't get more special than this. Super proud of the work they put in. To get a win for their country at a World Cup, it is pretty special. It has been quite a journey. Three to four years of very, very hard work, by the players and the board back home. Getting to the World Cup was special, but this is more special. (On their bowling) When you think about it from the other day, we got our plans right. Our execution was much better. The ability to adjust very quickly to the conditions - super proud of the bowling unit, they set up the game for us. (On the fast bowlers' plan) It was pretty simple, bowl a hard length and keep it wicket-to-wicket. We got that right today and it worked in our favour. (On the partnership between Riazat and Miyagi) When you are three down early, chasing a low score, we know how it can be. It was a real scrap out there. Every run they scored was very important and kudos to them for keeping their heads down and doing the job for their teams. (On message to the fans) We have a pretty special group of fans, who travel all around the world and support us. Don't think they came expecting a win in the World Cup but this is the least we can do for them. I hope they feel as special as we do. There is a huge following back home. Staying up till 3:30 or 4:30 in the morning, it is not easy. We salute them and appreciate them. I have a couple of guys from my old school who have threatened my life if I don't give them regards live on tv (laughs). To the fans, thank you very much and keep bringing the support.
Assad Vala, Papua New Guinea captain: (On the score and the pitch) It was a difficult wicket to bat on, not just for us but for them also. We could not adapt as quickly. Runs around 100 would have been enough. We lost crucial wickets at crucial times. (On the message at the half-way stage) We spoke about how it was a tough wicket to start on. We learned from the lines and lengths they were bowling. We got three early wickets. But when defending a low score, we have to take our chances, and we gave away too many extras (as well). Those are the things, as the tournament goes on and against good players, we have to improve, moving into the games against Afghanistan and New Zealand.
10:45pm The Ugandan players are revelling in the moment. They go over to where their fans are stationed at the ground and bow down to them. This is an incredible story, and they have signed, sealed and delivered the ending of their choice.
Riazat Ali Shah, Player of the Match: It was not easy to bat on this wicket. When I was in, we lost a lot of wickets and I had to stay in. The target was not such that I had to hit big boundaries. (On his partnership with Miyagi) We were just talking about staying in, going till the end and rotating strike. It is our first World Cup and first win of the World Cup - it is a special moment for us. Coming to the big stage, it is an amazing feeling and thanks to all our supporters back home and for our fans around the world. Whether we were on the up or down, they have always supported us. After the first game, we were a bit down but we knew how talented we are, and we wanted to show the world (how good we are).
10:40pm World Cups are meant for beautiful stories. For beautiful narratives, for arcs to come to its fairy tale conclusion and tonight, we have seen another. Uganda, playing their first World Cup ever, now have two points on the board. It did not come easy, mind you. At one stage, they were 26-5 chasing 78. Then, at 35-5, Riazat sliced his swipe and you could sense Ugandan hearts sinking, only for Amini to offer him a reprieve.
Riazat then largely held his nerve, stitching together a vital partnership with Miyagi. There were a few nervy moments towards the end, namely a run out and Riazat getting dismissed, but Waiswa stuck around to get the job done.
As for PNG, well, they will be ruing what might have been, just like it was on Sunday. They bowled several wides and dropped a couple of catches - the most important being that of Riazat. Had they held on, the game could have assumed a vastly different complexion. Apart from those transgressions, their bowling group gave a good account of itself, dragging the match to the penultimate over. In the end, though, those moments and the lack of runs pulled them back.
Seven fielders inside the ring
Finally Amini gets a bowl. In the 19th over, with Uganda needing just two runs
Captain Masaba walks out. How poetic would it be if he were to hit the winning runs. Uganda need 3 off 13
Riazat Ali Shah c Kariko b Vanua 33 (68m 56b 1x4 0x6) SR: 58.92
Vala wants PNG to pick their "energy, determination and attitude" with Afghanistan and NZ up next
The 43-year old offspinner bowled a tidy spell to give Uganda their first-ever win in the T20 World Cup
Both teams are coming off defeats in their opening games and will look to collect two points, rain-permitting
PNG's bowlers gave some hope after they folded for their lowest T20I score ever, but Uganda held their nerve in the end
Super Eights, Group 1 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
IND | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2.017 |
AFG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.305 |
AUS | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.331 |
BAN | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.709 |
Super Eights, Group 2 | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
SA | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0.599 |
ENG | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1.992 |
WI | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.963 |
USA | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -3.906 |
Group A | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
IND | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1.137 |
USA | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0.127 |
PAK | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.294 |
CAN | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -0.493 |
IRE | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1.293 |
Group B | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
AUS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2.791 |
ENG | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3.611 |
SCOT | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1.255 |
NAM | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -2.585 |
OMA | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -3.062 |
Group C | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
WI | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3.257 |
AFG | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1.835 |
NZ | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.415 |
UGA | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -4.51 |
PNG | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -1.268 |
Group D | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
SA | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0.47 |
BAN | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.616 |
SL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.863 |
NED | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.358 |
NEP | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -0.542 |