In an astounding turn of events at the T20 World Cup, Uganda’s veteran spinner Frank Nsubuga etched his name into the record books with the most economical spell in the tournament’s history. This feat was achieved during the match against Papua New Guinea in Providence, Guyana, on Thursday. The 43-year-old cricketer delivered a masterclass performance with his precise and tidy bowling, finishing his four-over spell with remarkable figures of 2/4 at an astonishing economy rate of just 1 run per over.
The hashtag #T20WorldCup #WeAreCricketCranes quickly made the rounds on social media, celebrating Nsubuga’s historic achievement. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide showered praise upon the seasoned bowler, whose crucial performance left behind prominent names like Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins known for their bowling prowess in T20 cricket.
Previously, the accolade for the best economy rate in the T20 World Cup was held by South Africa’s Ottniel Baartman, who notched up an impressive economy rate of 2.25 runs per over against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. However, Nsubuga’s precise four-over spell on Thursday overshadowed Baartman’s record, showcasing once again why seasoned players like him remain indispensable in the high-octane world of T20 cricket.
The match kicked off with Uganda winning the toss and opting to bowl first. The decision proved to be fruitful as Uganda’s bowlers immediately swung the game in their favor, dismissing half the PNG side for a meager total under 50 runs by the 11th over. Nsubuga was at the heart of this destruction, making a significant impact by taking crucial middle-order wickets. His first victim was Charles Amini, whom he clean-bowled for just 5 runs. He then trapped Hiri Hiri leg before wicket (LBW) for 15 runs in what was an incredibly disciplined display of bowling.
As the PNG innings were wrapped up for a paltry 77 runs in 19.1 overs, it was evident that Nsubuga’s experience and skill had played a pivotal role in stymying their batting effort. His commendable economy rate of 1.
.00 runs per over now stands as a benchmark for economical bowling in the T20 World Cup.
Here are the top most economical bowling figures in T20 World Cups to date:
– Frank Nsubuga (Uganda) – 2/4 with an economy rate of 1.00
– Ottniel Baartman (South Africa) – 1/9 with an economy rate of 2.25
– Juma Miyaji (Uganda) – 1/8 with an economy rate of 2.6
– Dipendra Airee (Nepal) – 1/6 with an economy rate of 3.00
– Faf du Plessis (South Africa) – 0/3 with an economy rate of 3.00
Nsubuga’s heroics threw the spotlight on the prowess of bowlers from associate nations, who often do not get as much attention as their counterparts from test-playing cricketing nations. This performance is bound to elevate his status within the cricketing community, providing a much-needed boost to Uganda’s cricketing profile on the global stage.
The context and pressure of the match only amplify the brilliance of Nsubuga’s record-setting feat. T20 cricket, being a format dominated by explosive batting and high run-rates, rarely sees such exceptional spells of economical bowling. What makes it even more notable is that it was executed by a player from a cricketing nation not traditionally in the spotlight for such achievements.
For Uganda, this match will forever be a part of their cricketing folklore, highlighting the capabilities and potential of their players to shine on the grandest stages. For Frank Nsubuga, it adds another feather to a distinguished cap, ensuring his legacy and inspiring future generations of Ugandan cricketers.
As the T20 World Cup progresses, this remarkable performance by Nsubuga is set to be one of the standout moments of the tournament. Cricket fans globally are eager to see more such thrilling performances from players who, once virtually unknown, now stand tall among the giants of the cricketing world.
