At the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, where drums thumped without pause, Aboojo Cricket Club walked into the UG20 2025 Final carrying more than sporting ambition but fell short.
Born in Fort Portal, built through sacrifice, and sustained by Ivan Thawithemwira’s devotion to youth and community cricket, Aboojo had travelled a long road to reach this stage.
On a day when heart and skill were demanded in equal measure, they fought until the very last ball.
Aboojo won the toss and chose to bowl, a bold call that paid off immediately.
In the fourth over, Lindon Mutengesa sent Shehzad Khan back, igniting the Aboojo stands. Joseph Baguma struck again in the seventh, leaving Ismaili CC unsettled and Aboojo firmly in control.
For a moment, the final bent to their will. Then came the turning point, which was the arrival of Ismaili captain Riazat Ali Shah.
Riazat and the steady Kamran Wali Khan rebuilt with a 67-run partnership. Kamran’s patient 40 off 45 steadied the ship, while Riazat smashed a fiery 41 off 28 with three towering sixes.
But Aboojo refused to let the game drift away. Baguma returned in the 15th over to remove Riazat, and the innings unraveled, Junaid gone, run-outs creeping in, momentum slipping.
From 119/5, Ismaili collapsed to 148 all out. A challenging total, but well within Aboojo’s reach.
The dream stayed alive. Fortunate Alijuna’s stumps were uprooted by Riazat before the crowd had even settled.
Baguma and Pascal Murungi soon followed. At 15/3, the drums beat with anxiety instead of joy.
Aboojo crawled to 36/3 after the powerplay, hanging on.
Aboojo needed calm. Ivan Thawithemwira and Amos Ahura delivered it, they rebuilt patiently, dragging Aboojo back into the contest. By 11 overs, Aboojo sat at 72/3, and belief surged again.
With 81 needed off 60 balls, the game had swung open, Thawi fell for a well made 31, Ahura for a crucial 34, and Aboojo’s chase began to wobble again.
Captain Brian Asaba fought desperately, his unbeaten 28 keeping hope alive. But with 53 needed from the last four overs, the climb grew steeper.
Wickets fell, boundaries dried up, and the asking rate slipped away. Aboojo closed on 125/8, 23 short but unbroken in spirit.
Ismaili celebrated a deserved win, built on Riazat’s all-round brilliance and supported by Kamran and tournament MVP Ghulam Hunzai.
It was a moment that captured the spirit of the final, respectful, emotional, and played in front of a crowd that embraced both teams.
Aboojo may not have lifted the trophy, but they walked away with something just as lasting, identity and a reminder that their story is far from complete.
And though silverware slipped through their fingers, their journey marches on prouder and more inspiring than ever.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
- Best Bowler: Yashashvi Joshi (Avengers) – 17 wickets
- Best Batter: Mehulkumar Chhotubhai Patel (GM Sugar) – 387 runs
- MVP: Ghulamu Hunzai (Ismaili) – 875 points
