Scotland got their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifying campaign off to a perfect start with a dominant 109 run over Uganda in Abu Dhabi.
Ailsa Lister and Saskia Horley both struck half-centuries to help the Scots post 161-3, before Rachel Slater ripped through the Victorian Pearls’ top order with a stunning five wicket haul, as they were bowled out for just 52.
Abtaha Maqsood, who took 3-10, said: “I’m feeling pretty pumped, it’s just really nice to get that first win on the board, and start off really strong.
“I think there were a few nerves going around at the start of the day, myself included, so it’s just good to get that first win on the board, and getting such a really convincing win is helpful, and builds that confidence.
“It felt good (bowling), and it was nice that Saskia (Horley) held onto that one at slip, it was a pretty good catch! It was nice that Slats (Rachel Slater) got that five-fer, and that really did take the pressure off the rest of the bowlers, and helped me bowl the way that I bowled.”
Darcey Carter got the Scotland innings going with a monstrous six over mid-wicket, before both she and Horley found the boundary through the offside with sweetly timed strikes.
However Carter was the first to depart, bowled by Sarah Akiteng for a brisk 24, after she and Horley added 36 in the opening five overs.
Disaster then struck next ball as Kathryn Bryce pushed the ball to point and set off for a single, and found herself well short of her ground following a direct hit by Rita Musamali.
Sarah Bryce and Horley set about rebuilding the innings, adding 30 for the third wicket, before Uganda struck with the first ball after drinks with Bryce departing, bowled by Immaculate Nakisuuyi as she attempted to sweep the spinner through the legside.
It didn’t take long for new batter Ailsa Lister to get into her stride, striking Janet Mbabazi for six and four in consecutive deliveries, and two further boundaries would help bring up the Scottish hundred inside 15 overs.
As the partnership began to grow, Saskia Horley began to free her arms, finding the boundary with increasing regularity as she reached her half-century in 45 balls.
Ailsa Lister reached her 50 from just 31 balls in the final over as the Scottish onslaught continued, the pair adding an unbroken 95 for the fourth wicket to take Scotland to 161-3.
It was a total that looked imposing, and then even more so in the opening over as Kathryn Bryce made an early breakthrough.
After rapping Prosscovia Alako on the pads first ball, the Scotland skipper struck with her second, a stunning delivery clipping the top of Alako’s stumps, as she departed without scoring.
Uganda were reduced to 10-3 when Rachel Slater struck twice in two deliveries, removing Immaculate Nakisuuyi (7) and Janet Mbabazi (0).
Slater struck again in her following over with a searing yorker to bowl Rita Musamali (6), and when Stephanie Nampiina (9) chopped on off Priyanaz Chatterji, Uganda were in all sorts of trouble at 23-5.
Slater continued to tear through the batting order, trapping Kevin Awino in front (0) and castling Sarah Walaza (0) in her fourth over as she completed a stunning five-wicket haul, four of which were bowled.
Abtaha Maqsood also got in on the act, Horley taking the catch to remove Concy Aweko, as Uganda slumped to 38-8.
And Maqsood rounded off the innings and the victory, bowling Sarah Akiteng (2), and taking a superb caught and bowled opportunity, diving away low to her left, to remove Evelyn Anyipo (4), as Uganda were dismissed for 52.
Scotland’s next fixture is on Saturday, against tournament favourites and full member nation Sri Lanka.
