It is now three days since the Cricket Cranes defended the ACA T20 Africa Cup. The final against biter rivals Kenya was shockingly a one-sided affair, but the defence of this trophy didn’t quite start on a convincing note.
Uganda beating a test playing nation- Zimbabwe- at the first time of asking and ultimately creating history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time somehow made them the invincibles, so you can imagine the shock and dismay that came when they lost to Rwanda in their opening game at the Africa Cup.
How can you come from such a high of qualifying for the World Cup, and dropping to the low of being beaten by Rwanda?
Fans asked themselves all sorts of questions, and the fact that, that was their first ever loss to Rwanda, it was a hard one for the faithful to swallow.
But this loss came as a blessing in disguise because it acted as a wake up call to the Cricket Cranes who like aforementioned, had globally made their existence known.
It came at the right time. Who knows had it come later in the competition, maybe they wouldn’t have been able to defend the title.
While the wins against Malawi and Mozambique, the other group opponents weren’t that convincing, they propelled the Cricket Cranes to the semifinals where they faced Botswana – Group B runners up.
It is from this stage that the Cricket Cranes reminded the world of what a ruthless team they can be against those perceived as small teams.
Jackson Ogwang’s team obliterated Botswana on both fronts. Botswana were bowled out with just 62 on the scorecard, and that was chased inside power play with no loss.
This convincing display sent Uganda to the final where they met long time rival, Kenya.
Ruthless Cricket Cranes
Kenya had been the only team at the tournament that had not suffered defeat. Their first one came at a very wrong time, and what a defeat it was!
The green and red boys literally lay down and let their rivals spank them. The only time Kenya enjoyed an advantage in this game was during the toss, when they won it. They won it and sent Uganda in. What a backfire that turned out to be!
Uganda put 186 on board. Against Kenya, this was seen as a not-so-high score. The onlookers couldn’t have been more wrong.
Uganda made light work of Kenya who they bowled out with Overs to spare and who they beat by 91 runs. In the end, just like Argentina, the current World champions in football, the Cricket Cranes emerged deserved winners.
They wrap up the year brilliantly and will go down as the best local sports federation this year. Not only did cricket retain the Africa Cup and earn qualification to the World Cup, the women’s team, the Victoria Pearls, qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers that will be hosted in Dubai early next year.
They did this by finishing as runners up to Zimbabwe in the African Qualifiers that were held in Entebbe.
From Nalubaale Sports, we congratulate Uganda Cricket Association, and we wish them a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024.
Courtesy Photos
