Who can stop the Aziz Damani cricket family?
Well, the answer is ‘no one’ and this was reaffirmed yesterday when they took home all the team awards for the 2022 season in both the men’s and women’s leagues.
With five teams competing in the Uganda local leagues, three of their franchises took home the trophies which were up for grabs.
The senior men’s team won their 5th title in a row after finishing the season in the Men’s top-flight league unbeaten.
The defending champions could’ve won the league unblemished, had they not been made to drop points against Wanderers in a game that was declared a no-result.
Newly promoted Ceylon Lions a side that recruited well gave Damani a run for their money, but could only manage to finish second.
In the Men’s Division 2, Aziz Damani Development was heads and shoulders above everyone else en route to triumph and in doing so, earned themselves promotion to the top flight.
Behind them, Nyakasura managed to keep off Patidar and gain promotion to the top flight as the second side from the second division.
Nyakasura with their trophy
Away for the men’s action, in the women’s division, Aziz Damani cruised to their fourth 40-over league title in a row without dropping a point.
The return of Immaculate Nakisuyi, Proscovia Alako, and Stephanie Nampiina gave an already strong side more firepower as they kept off the challenge of Wanderers and Olila High.
Olila High edged Wanderers to the second position due to a better run rate as both teams finished with the same number of points.
In Division 2, the return of Habib Mugalula as a coach gave Jinja SSS a fresh breath as they went on an unbeaten run that saw them clinch the title and also promotion back to the top flight.
Aziz Damani Development was hot on the heels of Jinja SS but failed to catch up with the side which meant they settled for second place.
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS:
DIV. 1 MEN:
Best Batter: Simon Ssesazi (Aziz Damani)
Best Bowler: Yashashvi Joshi (Avengers)
MVP: Harsh Panchal (Avengers)
DIV. 2 MEN:
Best Batter: Ronald Lutaaya (Aziz Damani Development)
Best Bowler – Chintan Kerai (Patidar)
MVP – Chintan Kerai (Patidar)
DIV. 1 WOMEN:
Best Batter: Stephanie Nampiina (Aziz Damani)
Best Bowler: Franklyn Najjumba (Best Bowler)
MVP: Stephanie Nampiina (Aziz Damani)
DIV. 2 WOMEN:
Best Batter: Whitney Nassuna (Jinja SSS)
Best Bowler: Irene Mutonyi (St John’s SSS Mukono)
MVP: Irene Mutonyi (St John’s SSS Mukono)
Photo Credit: Uganda Cricket Association
