Nakatunya Cricket Club sealed the Cricket Uganda Soroti Women’s T20 title with a dramatic one-wicket win over Kichinjaji in a tense final at Soroti Cricket Academy.
Chasing 99, Nakatunya reached 99/9 in 17.2 overs, surviving a late collapse to clinch victory in one of the tournament’s closest finishes.
Kichinjaji, who chose to bat first, posted 98/2 in 18 overs. Mary Esomu anchored the innings with an unbeaten 28 while Martha Amayo added 32, but the side struggled to accelerate late on as Nakatunya’s bowlers kept scoring in check.
The chase quickly turned complicated. Nakatunya slipped to 19/3 in the powerplay and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, keeping Kichinjaji in control for large parts of the innings.
Annet Ameja steadied the chase with 39 off 34 balls, striking five boundaries to keep Nakatunya within reach. But just as the target came into sight, the innings nearly unraveled, with three quick wickets leaving them at 96/9.
With one wicket left, Oliver Amito and Suzan Achen held their nerve to guide the side over the line and secure the title. Ameja was named Player of the Match for her decisive contribution.
Nakatunya had reached the final after defeating Pamba by seven wickets in the semifinal, while Kichinjaji advanced with a 21-run win over Amen.
Soroti Cricket Academy Chairman Felix Musana praised the progress of the women’s game at the close of the tournament.
“We are proud of how far the girls’ game has come and this tournament shows real progress,” he said. “We thank Cricket Uganda for the support and the schools for trusting us with the players. This is just the beginning.”
Nakatunya received UGX 100,000 in prize money, sponsored by Equity Bank Soroti Branch.
Individual awards saw Immaculate Nandera named Best Batter, Joan Nabasekka take Best Bowler, and Mercy Tracy Kongai crowned MVP.
Attention now turns to the upcoming Girls’ Schools Cricket Week qualifiers as momentum around women’s cricket in the region continues to build.
