The Uganda Cricket Cranes showcased their dominance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B with a resounding 76-run victory over hosts Hong Kong, China on Thursday at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
This win marked Uganda’s third triumph against Hong Kong and further solidified their lead in the tournament standings.
Having shared points with Italy due to rain disruptions on Wednesday, Uganda entered the match with 14 points, two ahead of both Hong Kong and Italy.
A victory against the hosts was crucial to extending their lead, and the Cranes delivered emphatically.
After being put in to bat, Uganda’s opening pair, Robinson Obuya (25 off 42) and Shrideep Mangela (16 off 45), started cautiously.
However, a formidable 100-run partnership between Raghav Dhawan (52 off 77) and all-rounder Alpesh Ramjani (68 off 63) gave Uganda the upper hand.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah added a quickfire 40 off 25 balls, helping Uganda post an imposing total of 276, the highest score in the second round of the tournament.
Dhawan continued his stellar form, registering his third consecutive half-century in national colours. Ramjani, who was named Player of the Match, shone both with the bat and ball.
Following his impressive innings, he wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming four wickets, including key batters Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, and Nizakhat Khan. His four-wicket haul was his first in List A cricket.
Supporting the bowling attack, Juma Miyaji and Cosmas Kyewuta secured two wickets each, while Dinesh Nakrani and Henry Ssenyondo added one apiece, dismantling the Hong Kong batting lineup and securing the comprehensive victory.
With this win, Uganda now leads the table with 16 points, four ahead of both Hong Kong and second-placed Italy, who have a game in hand.
Uganda will face Tanzania in their final match on Saturday, February 15, aiming to maintain their unbeaten run before the third round in Tanzania next year.
The Challenge League B serves as a crucial step in Uganda’s path to the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
If Uganda finishes in the top two at the end of both rounds, they will advance to the Qualifier Play-off, where a top-eight finish would grant them ODI status.
To secure a World Cup spot, Uganda must finish in the top four of the final Qualifier tournament.
