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Match Summary: Uganda v Botswana
Uganda 164/8
Botswana 86 all out
Uganda won by 78 runs

Cricket Cranes got off the mark with a 78-run win over Botswana on Matchday One of the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali.

The numbers don’t tell the whole story as Botswana pushed the envelope after winning the toss and electing to bowl. Robinson Obuya (17) and Shrideep Mangela (26) got the team off to a flyer but some reckless shot selection left the Ugandans railing at 81/5.

Alpesh Ramjani (58) took 28 runs off the final over to help Uganda finish at 164/8 in their 20 overs.

In the run chase, Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta struggled to keep Karabo Mothalanka (17) and Monroux Kasselman (28) quiet until Frank Nsubuga was introduced in the attack. The old man about town got rid of Captain Mothalanka with the scorecard reading 41.

The breakthrough opened a door for Uganda with the remaining nine wickets falling for just 45 runs. Nsubuga (3/8), Henry Ssenyondo (2/16), and Alpesh Ramjani (1/4) put on the brakes for Uganda and Botswana running out of resources with still 78 runs required for the win.

Botswana gave Uganda a run for their money with the ball but they couldn’t match the favourites with the bat.

Uganda got away with the collapse but will seek improvements tomorrow when they play against the hosts Rwanda.

Cricket Cranes are back in action this week, determined to end the year on a high as they prepare to defend their title at the T20 Africa Continental Cup.

The tournament, scheduled to take place from December 4–14, 2024, at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, will see Uganda compete against Botswana, Nigeria, and hosts Rwanda in a round-robin format culminating in a December 14 final.

Having lifted the trophy last year in a nail-biting one-run victory over Kenya at the Nairobi Gymkhana Oval, Uganda aims to replicate their success despite Kenya’s withdrawal from this year’s competition.

Fresh from securing the Rwanda Emerging Nations T20 Cup with the Uganda A side, the selectors have made two changes to the senior squad. Left-hand opening batsman Simon Ssesazi, finger spinner Joseph Baguma, and batting all-rounder Pascal Murungi have been recalled.

Chairman of Selectors Nehal Bibodi explained; “We are giving younger players more opportunities for exposure. Pascal Murungi’s inclusion is to prepare him for the future, while experienced players like Kenneth Waiswa remain integral to the team despite being left out now. Joseph Baguma continues to impress us with his potential for a long and promising career.”

Coach Abhay Sharma emphasized the team’s focus on preparation and adaptability: “Our aim is to test various players in different positions and combinations to find the best fit for the coming challenges, especially with an eye on next year’s ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier Final. By focusing on planning, preparation, and execution, we believe success will follow.”

Led by Riazat Ali Shah, the team is ready for an exciting schedule of matches, starting with their opening game against Botswana tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2.15pm.

TEAM UGANDA

Riazat Ali Shah (captain), Pascal Murungi, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Dinesh Nakrani, Cosmas Kyewuta, Alpesh Ramjani, Robinson Obuya, Raghav Dhawan, Fred Achelam, Shrideep Mangela, Joseph Baguma, Simon Ssesazi, Juma Miyaji.

TEAMS PARTICIPATING:

  1. UGANDA
  2. NIGERIA
  3. BOTSWANA
  4. RWANDA

Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) announced Tuesday that Cricket Cranes’ second string side (Uganda A) will compete at the Emerging Nations T20 Series in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 19 to 29, 2024.

The tournament features teams; Rwanda XI, Rwanda A, and Zimbabwe Emerging which will provide a competitive platform for rising stars on the continent.

Uganda A is led by seasoned campaigners Roger Mukasa (captain) and Simon Ssesazi who are looking to regain form and emerging U-19 talents aiming to make a mark.

UCA Selector and Team Manager, Richard Okia, emphasised the importance of this tournament.

“This series aligns perfectly with our mission to build a high-performance culture and deepen the pathways from grassroots cricket to the senior national team. It offers players invaluable exposure to international-level competition, allowing us to identify future stars and build squad depth for Uganda Cricket’s long-term success,” Okia noted.

Davis Turinawe, the Uganda A Coach for this tour, highlighted the dual benefit of nurturing young talents that have come through the development pathways and providing a platform for experienced players to refine their skills.

“We believe in creating opportunities for our players to thrive. Competing against teams like Zimbabwe Emerging and Rwanda’s best will push our players to new heights and simulate the demands of senior international cricket,” said Tuinawe.

Team Uganda A Squad:

1. Simon Ssesazi 2. Roger Mukasa (C) 3. Anas Baig 4. Ronald Lutaaya 5. Cyrus Kakuru 6. Pascal Murungi 7. Calvin Watuwa 8. Joseph Baguma 9. Siraj Nsubuga 10. Steven Wabwose 11. Christopher Kidega 12. Ivan Baidu 13. Musa Majid 14. Jonathan Ssebanja

Officials:

Tournament Fixtures

Uganda has started its journey to the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup with a resounding 7-wicket win over Singapore at Entebbe Cricket Oval.

The first game of Challenge League B, originally scheduled for Lugogo but moved to Entebbe, saw Singapore win the toss and elect to bat.

The openers for Singapore, Aman Desai (19) and Aritra Dutta, played slow and cautiously lasting through the power play before Dinesh Nakrani dismissed the former.

Dutta (26) could only last until the 16th over before he was bowled by Nakrani who had a man-of-the-match performance in which he got six sculps. From that point, Singapore could not hold as they were eventually cleaned out for 82 with only Rohan Rangarajan (14) getting to double figures.

Nakrani’s six-wicket haul was supported by Juma Miyagi (2/20), Henry Ssenyondo (1/12) and Alpesh Ramjan (1/90.

In the run chase, Uganda lost Ragav Dhawan in the first over but his opening partner Robinson Obuya (19) played on alongside Shrideep Mangela (14) before their departure paved the way for Kenneth Waiswa (26) and captain Riaza Shah (24) to knock off the deficit inside 18 Overs.

It’s a morale-boosting win for Cranes who return to action on Saturday to take on Tanzania at Lugogo Oval.

Match Summary

Cricket Cranes registered a convincing 8-wicket win over Bahrain in their second T20i meeting on Tuesday at Jinja Oval.

The Ugandans were bouncing back from defeat on the previous day in a game that was reduced to 11 Overs due to morning rain.

In the second game, Bahrain won the toss and sent their hosts to the field. However, Uganda’s pacers were clinical with their line and length as Cosmas Kyewuta (3/12) and Juma Miyagi (3/18) picked six of the sculps.

Bahrain’s captain Haider Ali (54) was a lone ranger with only Ahmer Bin Nasir (11) getting to double figures as the side was bundled out for 89.

The chase took Cricket Cranes just 15 overs as Robinson Obuya got stuck in with an unbeaten 28 and found support from Raghav Dhawan (21) and Shrideep Mangela (30).

The two sides will meet again on Thursday in a one-off 50-over game before the Challenge League B tournament that starts next week.

Cricket Cranes squad to compete in the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B set to take place at Lugogo and Entebbe Oval from November 4-16 has been announced.

Riazat Ali Shah has been appointed captain of the team for the tournament. He steps into the leadership role after serving as vice-captain to Brian Masaba who led Uganda in the ICC Men’s World Cup in the West Indies and the USA but stepped down after the event.

“It is not going to be a challenging job for me. Everyone on this team knows their role and strives to execute it. The captaincy is an additional responsibility, but we are all working toward the same goal—achieving One Day International (ODI) status,” said Ali Sha, who has been a member of the national team for seven years.

Pascal Murungi, a former U-19 captain, returns to the side after a stellar stint in Zimbabwe. Shrideep Mangela and Raghav Dhawan, both of whom played in the series against Papua New Guinea, have been included in the squad and are set for their international debut for Uganda.

The Challenge League B tournament is a pathway to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

The Cricket Cranes will have a final three-match warm-up series against Bahrain in Jinja before the tournament begins.

Full Squad

  1. Raghav Dhawan
  2. ⁠Juma Miyagi
  3. ⁠Brian Masaba
  4. ⁠Shrideep Mangela
  5. ⁠Fred Achelam
  6. ⁠Kenneth Waiswa
  7. ⁠Alpesh Ramjani
  8. ⁠Pascal Murungi
  9. ⁠Henry Ssenyondo
  10. ⁠Riazat Ali Shah
  11. ⁠Frank Nsubuga
  12. ⁠Cosmas Kyewuta
  13. Robinson Obuya
  14. ⁠Dinesh Nakrani

Reserves

  1. Joseph Baguma
  2. Cyrus Kakuru

Uganda’s Fixtures

Men’s UGT20 Final

Wanderers claimed their first T20 title in eleven years after edging Rounders in a low-scoring thriller at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in the final on Sunday.

Wanderers won the toss and elected to bat first but the decision was not backed by the batter on a slow wicket. Rwandan international Didier Ndikwibimana (27) was the top scorer of the team with Abu Seguya (19) the other major contributor to the team’s total of 99 in 17.2 overs.

David Mwesigwa (3/19), Narinder Singh (3/23) and Richard Sohera (2/6) combined to pick up eight wickets to keep their side in the contest against a relatively stronger lineup of Wanderers.

In the run chase, Rounders failed to build meaningful partnerships but the total was within reach even with just one wicket remaining before a moment of madness led to the loss of the final wicket.

Martin Akayezu (5/22) was the stand-out bowler for Wanderers and Arthur Magwa (3/19) provided support in what seemed like a masterclass performance from skipper Davis Karashani in the field setting.

It was a good season for Wanderers who finished second in the men’s 50-over League and victory in the T20 League crowns a nearly perfect season.

The Baby Victoria Pearls have been flagged off on Wednesday morning for the U19 Africa Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

The team will be part of the African Qualifiers that are scheduled from September 20 to 30, 2024.

Baby Victoria Pearls will be out to fight for the available one slot in the 2025 U-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Baby Victoria Pearls head coach Yusuf Nanga is confident ahead of the upcoming tournament, knowing that his side has had enough time to prepare.

“The team has prepared very well,” he said before adding; “We have had sufficient time to prepare the girls and be champions.”

“We expect stiff competition from all teams, but as long as we do what we have to do well, we should do well. The target is to go to the World Cup.”

Uganda’s journey in Group A will get underway on Sunday, September 22, against favourites Namibia.

The encounter will be followed by a clash against Kenya on Tuesday before concluding the group business against Rwanda on Wednesday, September 25.

Uganda will be captained by Jimia Mohamed for the second time after the maiden edition in Botswana.

The Team: Jimia Mohammad (Captain), Malisa Ariokot, Lona Anyait, Patricia Timong, Shadiah Gilingish Nabulime, Rashidah Tikabula, Irene Mutonyi, Immaculate Nandera, Mary Patricia Apolot, Asumin Akurut, Jane Naume Amongin, Michelle Ariago, Agnes Nakakande, Barbra Nanyanzi.

Officials: Yusuf Nanga (Head Coach), Ivan Kakande (Assistant Coach), Tugume Imam (Physiotherapist), Richard Okia (Team Analyst), Denis Musali (Media Manager), Lelia Namaganda Ondeko (Team Manager).

The International Cricket Council has revealed the two groups ahead of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier due in Rwanda later this month.

The tournament which was initially scheduled to take place last month was postponed due to changes in qualification format will now run from 22-29 September in Kigali, Rwanda.

Uganda has been pitted in Group A alongside Namibia, and their East African neighbours Rwanda and Kenya.

Rwanda made history by qualifying for their first-ever ICC World Cup event in 2022 when they emerged as regional winners in Botswana.

Kenya secured their place in this qualifier after finishing as losing finalists to Malawi in the pre-qualifier (Division 2) a couple of weeks ago.

Malawi is placed in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Nigeria.

The Baby Victoria Pearls will begin their campaign on Sunday, 22nd September against group favourites Namibia at the Gahanga 2 Oval before taking on Kenya the next day at the IPRC Stadium.

They will then take an off day before their final group game on 25th September against Rwanda.

Match Result: FINAL

Jinja SSS defended the Boys’ Schools Cricket Week title with a dominant performance against Busoga College Mwiri.

It was the fifth title overall without dropping a game denying Mwiri a 20th crown.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first and a great passage of play coupled with some poor bowling from Mwiri allowed Jinja SSS to post a competitive 130 for loss of 8 wickets.

In the run chase, Gerald Olipa found three consecutive boundaries in the opening over but disciplined bowling from Jinja SSS dried up runs for Mwiri. Olipa hustled for over 10 overs but the pressure of a climbing run rate got the better of him going across the line and losing his mid stump.

The loss of Olipa took the sting out of Mwiri and ultimately ran out of wickets with 50 runs still required for victory.

In the plate final, Shree Sahajand nearly made a mess of their run chase against King’s College Budo but somehow they managed to get over the line by one wicket.

King’s College Budo had made it a habit to win by small margins but this time the luck wasn’t with them as Shree picked up the plate trophy.

Individual Award Winners: