New Zealand dismantled Uganda for a mere 40 runs at the T20 World Cup, with Trent Boult and Tim Southee leading the charge. The Kiwi bowlers proved too formidable for the inexperienced Ugandan batters, resulting in a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in just 5.2 overs in the Group C match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
From the onset, Trent Boult set the tone with his searing full inswingers. Even seasoned batters would have struggled against Boult's pinpoint accuracy.
Ronak Patel, Uganda's opener, managed to get off strike on the second ball, but Boult's next deliveries wreaked havoc. Left-hander Simon Ssesazi was trapped plumb in front by a deadly inswinger, followed by Robinson Obuya, who was bowled through the gate by another big-swinging delivery.
With Boult conceding just one run in his opening over, Southee (3-4) maintained the pressure with a maiden, further stifling the Ugandan top order. Boult then delivered another maiden over, leaving Uganda reeling at 9 for 3 by the end of the powerplay.
Southee also claimed a wicket, trapping Alpesh Ramjani LBW in his second over. The relentless Kiwi attack continued with spinners Mitchell Santner (2-8) and Rachin Ravindra (2-9), alongside pacer Lockie Ferguson.
Santner claimed the wicket of Ronak Patel, who edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Devon Conway. Ferguson then uprooted Kenneth Waiswa's stumps, and even Uganda's more experienced batters, Riazat Ali Shah and Dinesh Nakrani, found no respite.
By the 14th over, Uganda had slumped to 27 for 7, narrowly avoiding their lowest-ever T20 total of 39 against the West Indies. Despite the minor consolation, the Ugandan innings ended at 40, their last wicket falling in the 19th over.
New Zealand's pursuit of the modest target was smooth. Although Uganda managed a fortunate breakthrough, with Riazat Ali Shah catching Finn Allen down the leg side, the result was never in doubt.
New Zealand's batters, though initially cautious, rotated the strike effectively. Devon Conway (22*) finished the match in style, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Juma Miyagi to seal the victory.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)