Match Summary

• Uganda 148 all out in 41.1 Overs
• Tanzania 89 all out in 29.1 Overs
• Uganda won by 59 runs

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes completed the second round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B with a clinical 59-run victory over Tanzania at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

Despite a relatively poor batting display, the Cricket Cranes’ bowling attack, led by Player of the Match Juma Miyagi, dismantled Tanzania’s lineup to secure victory.

The Cricket Cranes were asked to bat first and were bundled out for 148 in 41.1 Overs.

Raghav Dhawan (63 off 102) recorded another half-century to lead Uganda with Fred Achelam (21) and Dinesh Nakrani (23) coming in handy.

Tanzania’s disciplined bowling attack was led by Ally Kimote (4/20) and Sivaraj Selvaraj (2/23).

Juma Miyagi led Uganda’s defence of the total and produced match-winning bowling that ripped through Tanzania’s batting order. The pacer produced the most impressive figures at the tournament picking 6 wickets and giving away just 17 runs in 8.1 overs.

Tanzania was cleaned out for just 89 inside 30 overs with Cosmas Kyewuta (2/17), Dinesh Nakrani (1/20) and Bilal Hassan (1/23) picking the other wickets.

With the win, Uganda completed the Hong Kong leg of the Challenge League B unbeaten and finished top of the standings ahead of the Tanzania leg.

Match Summary

• Uganda 276 all out in 49.5 Overs
• Hong Kong-China 200 all out in 46.3 Overs

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes delivered a commanding performance to beat Hong Kong-China by 76 runs in a thrilling contest at the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) Challenge League B on Thursday.

The high-stakes match saw Cricket Cranes consolidate their position at the top of the standings with 16 points, four clear of their closest rivals, Italy and the hosts.

Despite coming into the clash after their table-topping encounter against Italy was washed out, Uganda displayed tactical brilliance to outclass Hong Kong-China in all three departments.

Batting first, Uganda set a formidable total of 276 all out in 49.5 overs with all-rounder Alpesh Ramjani leading the charge with a blistering 68 off 54 balls, supported by Raghav Dhawan (52 off 77) and skipper Riazat Ali Shah (40 off 25).

Hong Kong-China’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Ehsan Khan (4/53 in 10 overs) and Yasim Murtaza (3/34 in 8.5 overs), tried to keep Uganda in check, but aggressive batting ensured a competitive total was set.

In response, Hong Kong-China struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 200 in 46.3 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Zeeshan Ali (51 off 64) and Murtaza (50 off 67) showed some resistance, but Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Player of the Match Ramjani (4/18 in 9
overs), Cosmas Kyewuta (2/43 in 8.3), and Juma Miyaji (2/54 in 9) proved too strong for the hosts.

“We played a perfect game, the best we have done this tournament in all three departments. The openers fought hard in the first hour after we lost the toss. Scoring 277 was always going to be a good target given the conditions. There is no celebration yet—our job is not finished, and we must. focus on our next match against Tanzania,” Uganda’s coach Abhay Sharma said.

The team takes a day off on Friday and returns to action against Tanzania on Saturday their last game of the round.

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes continued their winning streak at the ICC CWC Challenge League Group B with a commanding 8-wicket win over Singapore on Monday.

The Cricket Cranes sealed the victory with 56 balls to spare.

Today’s win follows a 52-run triumph against Bahrain in the second-round tournament opener last week.

Riazat Ali Sha won the toss and sent in Singapore to bat first. Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack, led by left-arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo, tamed Singapore’s batting lineup, restricting them to 243/9 in 50 overs.

Ssenyondo finished with impressive figures of 4/36 from 9 overs with Cosmas Kyewuta (2/51) and Kenneth Waiswa 1/26 chipping in with crucial wickets.

Despite the small ground dimensions favouring big-hitting, Uganda’s top-order batsmen were controlled. Raghav Dhawan anchored the chase with an unbeaten 71 off 66 balls to earn his second Player of the Match Award.

Alpesh Ramjani (67 off 61 balls) came in at 4 to partner with Dhawan partnered for the match-winning 121-run stand, guiding Uganda to 245/2 in just 40.4 overs.

Match Summary:

• Singapore: 243/9 in 50 overs (Aman Desai 66, Ishaan Swaney 64 | Henry Ssenyondo 4/36)
• Uganda: 245/2 in 40.4 overs (Raghav Dhawan 71, Alpesh Ramjani 67* | Manpreet Singh 1/50)

Next Up

• Wednesday, February 12
• Uganda vs. Italy – 4:00 am, EAT

Match Summary

• Uganda 249/9 in 50 Overs (Raghav Dhawan 85, Riazat Ali Shah 49, Robinson Obuya 43; Imran Khan 3/46, Imran Anwar 2/40)
• Bahrain 197 all out in 44.1 Overs (Asif Ali 83, Sohail Ahmed 43; Juma Miyagi 4/53, Cosmas Kyewuta 2/26, Bilal Hassan 2/42)

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes showcased exceptional skill and determination to secure a 52-run win against Bahrain in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

The victory propels Uganda to the top of the league standings with 11 points, ahead of Italy and Hong Kong China, who each have 9 points.

Bahrain won the toss and asked Uganda to bat first. The Cricket Cranes posted a competitive total of 249 for a loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

The innings were anchored by a stellar performance from Raghav Dhawan, who scored 85 runs off 105 balls, including 11 boundaries. Team captain Riazat Ali Shah contributed 49 runs, while opener Robinson Obuya added 43 runs to set a solid foundation. Late contributions from Alpesh Ramjani (20 not out) and Fred Achelam (17) further bolstered the team’s total.

In response, Bahrain’s innings faltered early due to a formidable bowling display by Uganda’s young opening bowler Juma Miyaji who was instrumental in dismantling the top order, claiming 4 wickets for 53 runs.

The other pacemen in the side Cosmas Kyewuta and Bilal Hassan supported with two wickets each, while Dinesh Nakrani picked one as Bahrain was bowled out for 197 runs in 44.1 overs.

This win not only underscores Uganda’s continued dominance in the three-legged tournament but also highlights the team’s collective effort and strategic prowess in this particular match as Bahrain looked poised to make an upset as Asif Ali (83) and Sohail Ahmed (43) were stuck in for a while until the departure of the former caused a collapse.

The Cricket Cranes are now focused on maintaining their momentum as they prepare to face Singapore on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes are set to depart today for Hong Kong ahead of the second leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B scheduled for 4th-16th February.

Head coach Abhay Sharma is confident his side is in good shape to continue with their excellent form exhibited during the first round hosted at Lugogo and Entebbe Oval.

“The boys are in a very good shape skill-wise in all aspects – bowling, batting and fielding,” Sharma said.

“The most important part for me as a coach is planning, preparation and implementation. At the moment, the implementation part is a little away, but planning and preparations are going in a very good way. A lot of support staff helping and everything is being taken care of.

“We are looking forward to better days to come. As far as batting is concerned, we are looking forward to the skill levels we’ve attained this time. Hong Kong conditions are different, but we have tried to create scenarios and situations we might encounter.”

Before the tournament, the team will be engaged in a tri-nation series with Baharain and hosts Hong Kong that starts on 31st January.

Uganda’s squad for the second round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B scheduled for February 4-16 in Hong Kong China has been named.

Two changes have been made to the team that played the first leg hosted in Kampala and Entebbe with Pascal Murungi and Brian Masaba making way for spinner Joseph Baguma and wicketkeeper Cyrus Kakuru.

Kakuru is a backup keeper for Fred Achellam but could be used as a batter on this particular tour while Joseph Baguma will be the fourth spinner in the side offering backup to Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani and Frank Nsubuga.

Uganda is at the top of the six-team log with nine points just two ahead of Italy and Hong Kong ahead of this decisive leg.

If the Kampala leg is anything to go by, only Robinson Obuya had a permanent place at the top of the order and it remains to be seen with whom he will open the batting for Cricket Cranes.

Kenneth Waiswa was decent in Kampala while pacers Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta had to swap places for some games while Riazat Ali Shah was outstanding with the bat.

The Cricket Cranes’ middle order of Dinesh Nakrani and Alpesh Ramjani made very significant contributions with the bat after early collapses.

Ssenyondo and Ramjani combined for over 20 wickets in the Kampala leg and they will still be valuable with the ball for the Cricket Cranes on the slow Asian wickets.

Cricket Cranes Squad: Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Raghav Dhawan, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta, Kenneth Waiswa, Joseph Baguma, Cyrus Kakuru, Fred Achellam, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga, Shrideep Mangela, Robinson Obuya.

Uganda’s Fixtures:

• Uganda vs. Bahrain – 7th February
• Singapore vs. Uganda – 10th February
• Uganda vs. Italy – 12th February
• Uganda vs. Hong Kong – 13th February
• ⁠Uganda vs. Tanzania – 15th February

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes more or less guaranteed themselves a place in the ILT20 Continent Cup following a 108-run win over Botswana on Monday.

The win inspired by Simon Ssesazi who played his best game with bat in hand to score 85 off 53 balls kept Ugaanda’s unbeaten streak at the tournament intact after six games.

Botswana won the toss and elected to bowl but Uganda’s opening pair of Fred Achellam (25) and Simon Ssesazi (85) put on 57 inside 6 overs before the former was dismissed.

Shrideep Mangela (65) carried on from where Achelam left off with Ssesazi whose departure gave skipper Riazat Ali Shah (36) a chance to flourish at the back of the innings with the Cricket Cranes finishing on 229/3 in their 20 overs.

In the run chase, Raghav Dhawan and Riazat Ali Shah opened the bowling for Uganda as the two premier fast bowlers Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta were rested.

However, it was the slow bowlers Joseph Baguma (2/20), Alpesh Ramjani (2/29), Henry Ssenyondo (1/15), and Frank Nsubuga (1/12) that got the job done for Uganda.

Botswana ran out of balls with the score at 121/7.

The Cricket Cranes like all other teams have three group phase matches to play before the final. Uganda will play Nigeria on Wednesday, Rwanda on Thursday, Botswana on Friday and the final on Saturday.

Matchday 5: ILT20 Continent Cup | Uganda vs Nigeria

• Nigeria 103 all out
• Uganda 107/3
• Uganda won by 7 wickets

Robinson Obuya (67) scored quickly with seven maximums and two boundaries to ensure that Uganda remains unbeaten in the ILT20 Cup in Kigali.

It is the fifth straight win for the Cricket Cranes as they look to defend their title, the second win against the Yellow Greens of Nigeria at the tournament.

Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl first. The bowling unit backed up this decision with some great bowling led by the slow left-arm spin of Henry Ssenyondo who came out with career-best bowling figures of 5/8 in his four overs.

Frank Nsubuga (3/21) and Dinesh Nakrani (2/14), picked the other wickets, as the Crickeet Cranes had a terrific bowling performance that limited Nigeria to just 103.

In the run chase, Robinson Obuya lost his opening partner Simon Ssesazi early but he remained resolute in his approach en route to his third half-century and his second of the tournament.

Obuya’s rich vein of form anchored the run chase for Uganda who got home with inside 13 overs.

The fifth win came on the back of the fourth victory yesterday against the hosts Rwanda. Uganda piled on 151/8 yesterday with Captain Riazat Ali Shah the top scorer with 44.

ILT20 Continent Cup | Uganda vs Nigeria

• Nigeria 133/9
• Uganda 87/5
• Uganda  won by 5 wickets (DLS Method – Match reduced to 11.0 overs, Target 84 runs)

Nigeria pinned Cricket Cranes to the wall in a short second inning of the ILT20 Continent Cup clash against Uganda but couldn’t get over the line.

The Yellow Greens won the toss and elected to bat first. Salim Salau (27) and Runsewe Sulaimon (23) put on 49 for the opening stand before both openers were cleaned up by Alpesh Ramjani (5/17).

However, the Nigerians failed to form another formidable partnership to help them kick on as they only managed to post 133/9 in their 20 overs.

Ramjani registered the best bowling figures in T20i cricket as the slow bowling options continued to get the business done for the Cricket Cranes in Kigali.

The heavens opened just before the second innings could get underway and once it was fit for play, Uganda needed 84 runs from 11 overs for them to get a win.

Uganda started briskly but that also came with some risk as they lost wickets in clusters and at 55/5 with still over 44 runs required for the win, there was a reason to believe for Nigerians.

However, a clutch 23 off 10 balls from Cosmas Kyewuta completely deflated Nigeria’s hopes as the fast bowler came out swinging and turned the game in the favour of Uganda who got over the line with 10 balls left in the game.

There is little time to recover for Uganda, they will be in action tomorrow morning against hosts Rwanda.

• Match Summary: Uganda vs Rwanda
• Uganda 192/7 in 18 overs
• Rwanda 83 all out in 16.1 overs
• Uganda won by 112 runs DLS method

Cricket Cranes picked up their second win in as many games at the ILT20 Continent Cup with a 112-run win over the hosts Rwanda.

Rwanda won the toss and elected to bowl first in overcast conditions. Despite losing Shrideep Mangela early, Robinson Obuya (83) got stuck in and notched up his second T20i half-century.

Riazat Ali Shah (27) and Dinesh Nakrani (21) offered support with the Cricket Cranes notching up the highest score of the tournament so far, 192/7 in 18 overs.

In the run chase, Rwanda had a steady opening stand of 37 before Dinesh Nakrani (4/16) wreaked havoc to leave the hosts at 38/4. The Cricket Cranes took charge from there on eventually dismissing the hosts for only 83.

Henry Ssenyondo (3/13) brought up 100 wickets in T20i cricket, the first Ugandan bowler to bring up that milestone.