Roger Mukasa delivered another milestone for himself as the Cricket Cranes admistered another damaging defeat to their East African rivals Kenya in their opening game at the African Games, in Ghana.
Mukasa who earned his T20i debut against Botswana in 2019 witnessed Kenya’s vice captain Lucas Ndandason dismiss his fellow opener Simon Sessazi, and the latter’s replacement Ronald Lutaya in the third Over, but the 34-year-old didn’t let any of that get to his head.
The opener raced to a half century of 59 as he took his T20i tally to 1056 runs. His knock included five boundaries and two maximums.
Team Effort Secures Dominant Total
Alongside Kenneth Waiswa and Dinesh Nakrani, the two he partnered with for most of the game, Mukasa inspired his team to a total that would turn out to be gruelling for the opposition to chase.
Waiswa (25) and Nakrani (43) fell in the 11th and 18th Over respectively, but by the time the Mukasa fell (in the 17th Over), he, with his 59 off 45 had done not only justice to himself, but also the entire team.
Emmanuel Bundi bowled Nakrani in the 18th Over, but his 43 off 23 was a remarkable addition to the Ugandans who went on to set 169/7.
After Nakrani, the only recognized all-rounder the opposition had to deal with falling, Kenya thought they’d cut out their work but Cosmos Kyewuta had different ideas.
The opening bowler who last played for Uganda in March last year used only 9 balls to register 17 runs. His partnership with his captain Brian Masaba (9) ensured a brilliant finish for the Cricket Cranes.
Kenya’s Chase Falters Despite Patel’s Heroics
Despite losing two wickets in the second and third Over, Kenya through their captain Rakep Patel who joined two down gave themselves an opportunity to execute the chase.
The Skipper recorded 42 (four 4s and three 6s) off 35, but the hope to complete that chase was dropped via LBW in the 12th over by Bilal Hassun.
Rakep’s wicket was a huge loss to Kenya. After his fall, The Kenyans failed to construct a notable partnership. Of all the batters that succeeded Rakep, none was able to score in double digits.
Alpesh Ramjani opened the bowling for Uganda for the first time in his career, and gave out 7 runs in the first Over, however, when he was reintroduced into the attack in the 13th Over, the all-rounder picked four wickets.
Veteran Collins Obuya was the former’s first bundle of joy. He ended Kenya’s slim hopes of turning things around when he picked both Ndandason and Vishil Patel in the 17th Over.
The two falling meant Kenya’s chase ended with 20 balls to spare. This victory marks Uganda’s fifth win against Kenya in their last six encounters.
With a superior run rate compared to South Africa, who also won their opening match against Ghana by 134 runs, Uganda takes charge of Group A. The Cricket Cranes will face hosts Ghana on Monday in their second game.
Photo Credit: Bata Images
