The Cricket Cranes’ unbeaten run at the ongoing ILT20 Continent Cup came to an end at the hands of Kenya at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B in Kigali.
Kenya produced a commanding eight-wicket victory in the much-anticipated Migingo Derby over Uganda, who had opened their campaign with victories over Sierra Leone, Botswana, and hosts Rwanda.
Despite setting a target of 189 runs for six wickets after being asked to bat first on a difficult surface, Uganda failed to defend their total on Saturday.
Kenya made light work of the chase, reaching 193 for two in just 16.4 overs. The win propelled Kenya to the top of the standings, leaving Uganda in second place after four matches as the competition moves into its second round.
“We have to keep our heads up. We still have another round to play,” Cranes Assistant Coach Jackson Ogwang said with confidence.
Kenya captain Dhiren Gondaria won the toss and elected to field, backing his bowling attack to exploit the new surface.
The decision paid dividends as Sachin Gill (3/26), Peter Koech Langat (1/28), Shem Ngoche (0/24), and Lucas Oluoch Ndandason (2/47) kept Uganda’s batters from finding the fluency seen in their opening three matches.
The Cranes had to work hard for their runs, with the ball not always coming onto the bat as expected. Gerald Olipa top-scored with 53, while captain Riazat Ali Shah made 45 and Charles Musemeza added 30.
Kenneth Waiswa then provided late fireworks, striking 37 off 20 balls to lift Uganda to 189 for six from their 20 overs. While the total gave Uganda something to defend, Kenya’s response was emphatic.
“For me, I’m happy to be back in the runs. It’s something I’ve been working hard for, but I know more will come,” Waiswa noted.
“Them getting 70 in the powerplay was good for them. Going forward, if we can keep them under 60 or 50 on the small boundaries, it would be good for us. But again, they were lucky.”
Kenya’s chase quickly became one-way traffic as captain Gondaria (94 off 47) and former skipper Rakep Patel (56 not out off 35) attacked Uganda’s bowling with confidence.
