Qatar registered a superb 14-run victory over visiting Uganda in National Sport Day Twenty20 match at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Batting first, Qatar lost six wickets for just 49 runs in 10 overs against the fine spells of Deusdedit Muhumuza and Charles Waiswa.
Qatar bounced back through an unbeaten 72-run seventh-wicket stand between Noman Sarvar and Mohamed Rizlan. Sarvar had a boundary in 32-ball 35 not out, while Rizlan smashed two sixes and a four during his knock of 35 not out. Uganda’s Deusdedit Muhumuza claimed three for 10, while Charles Waiswa clinched two for 19.
Uganda, who had beaten Qatar in previous two matches – one T20 game and other 50-over-a-side game, appeared to be cantering towards the victory with Riazat Ali Shah and Irfan Sahibzada getting the runs with ease. But, Mohamed Nadeem triggered a collapse as his three for 12 lifted the hosts to a superb 14-run victory.
Nadeem in his fourth and final over removed Riazat (23 in 26 balls) and Frank Nsubuga (0). And in between, Brian Msaba (0) was run out brilliantly.
From a healthy-looking score, Uganda slumped to 97 for seven. In the next over, Chaudhry sent back Muhumuza to make it 98 for eight. In the remaining two overs, Qatar looked better off as they needed two wickets and Uganda required 23 runs.
The hosts picked another wicket through Mohamed Awais and the tourists ended with 107 for nine, falling short of the target by 14 runs.
Qatar’s Sarvar was declared the Man of the Match for his all-round contribution (35 not out and one wicket).
BRIEF SCORES
Qatar beat Uganda by 14 runs
Qatar 121 for six in 20 overs (Noman Sarvar 35 not out in 32 balls, Mohamed Rizlan 35 runs in 35 balls, Mohamed Tanveer 22 in 16 balls, Charles Waiswa 2/19, Deusdedit Muhumuza 3/10)
Uganda 107 for nine in 20 overs (Riazat Ali Shah 23 runs in 26 balls, Irfan Sahibzada 22 off 15 balls, Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry 2/17, Mohamed Nadeem 3/12)
Man of the Match: Noman Sarvar (Qatar).
Qatar’s Noman Sarvar
