Uganda's hopes hanging in the balance

By Charles Mutebi

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Uganda 105 PNG 107/1

(PNG win by nine wickets)

FROM bad to worse. Uganda’s bid at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand is quickly descending into a nightmare after another gruesome defeat on Thursday, this time to Papua New Guinea.

There had been hope that Uganda would right the wrongs responsible for the seven-wicket Dutch demolition in their opener three days ago.

It only got worse. PNG, like the Netherlands, survived Uganda’s deceptive start to record a nine-wicket salvo that has left Davis Karashani’s men looking out of their depth down under.

Chris Amini was the ghost that terrorised Uganda’s batsmen, taking 6/19 as Johan Rudolph’s side collapsed to 105 all out in under 36 overs.

Uganda were cruising at 53/0 with openers Roger Mukasa (33 runs) and Abraham Mutyagaba (15) looking comfortable.

Then PNG captain Charles Amini handed the ball to his 21 year-old brother Chris and Uganda’s top order lost it.

The leg break spinner must have appeared as some kind of mummy back-from-the- dead. He cleaned out

Uganda’s top order with five successive wickets, to go along with three maidens in 10 overs.

Lega Siaki and Assad Vala scored 65 not out and 37 not out respectively as PNG completed their chase inside eighteen overs.