Namibia opened the two-match 50-over series with a commanding 173-run victory over Uganda at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on March 23, extending the Cricket Cranes’ difficult run on tour.
Uganda, coming off a 2-1 T20I series defeat, showed early control with the ball after captain Riazat Ali Shah lost the toss and was asked to field. The new-ball pair kept Namibia in check at 19 without loss after 10 overs, but the breakthrough never came, allowing the hosts to build momentum.
That pressure eventually told as Gerhard Erasmus led Namibia’s charge with a rapid 88 off 47 balls, supported by Jan Frylinck’s 44 and useful contributions across the order. Namibia closed on a formidable 303/8 in their 50 overs. Cosmas Kyewuta (3/43) and Kenneth Waiswa (2/68) were Uganda’s standout bowlers, though 27 extras proved costly in the final tally.
Uganda’s response quickly unraveled under disciplined Namibian bowling. Ruben Trumpelmann (4/27) and Max Heingo (2/28) struck early to reduce the visitors to 48/5 inside the opening 10 overs, effectively ending the contest.
Juma Miyaji top-scored with 36 while Anas Mirza Baig added 25 in a brief attempt to steady the innings, but Uganda were bowled out for 130 in 30.2 overs.
Opening batsman Simon Ssesazi admitted the team fell short in key moments. “It was a poor start from us. With the ball, we didn’t utilise the conditions well and gave away too many freebies. At one stage we tried to pull it back, but they still had wickets in hand and controlled the game better than us,” he said.
“With the bat, their bowlers kept it simple, bowled straight, used the short ball well, and didn’t try to do too much. That made it difficult for us. We’re learning a lot from them the way they read the game, rotate the strike, and stay disciplined. It’s a process, but we’ll keep improving.”
Namibia now lead the series 1-0, with Uganda set to seek a response in the second and final match on March 25.
