By Grace Joyce Kemigisa
The reigning T20 Africa Cup champions, the Cricket Cranes started the East African T20 tri-nation tournament with a sounding win against hosts Rwanda.
After the toss, Cranes were elected to bat first, which they took advantage of collecting 100 runs in the first 9 overs and eventually, a total of 185 runs for 9 wickets after 20 overs.
In defence, Cranes took the bull by the horns with the bowlers causing the Rwandan side to fall to 10 wickets by the 16th over with only 100 runs on the scoreboard.
This in turn gave Uganda an 85 runs win despite Head Coach Laurence Mathatlane fielding two T20I debutants in; Ronald Lutaaya and Cyrus Kakuru.
The duo had an exceptional outing with the left hand batsman Lutaaya recording a half century and a total of 70 runs before being sent to the showers.
Senior players; Simon Ssesazi (34 runs), Frank Nsubuga (31 runs not out) and Captain Brian Masaba (29 runs) were also instrumental in Uganda’s win.
“Unfortunately, today the batting didn’t come right with four players going single digits in top six. Hopefully, in the next game we shall see some of the senior players also stand up,” said Coach Mathatlane.
On a brighter side however Joseph Baguma was spectacular at bowling claiming 4 wickets from 14 balls, the best bowling figures for the game and his personal best at the stage.
The superb figures earned the Ugandan down to earth youngster the man of the match award.
Rwanda’s Orichide Tuyisenge with 66 runs gave his team a great push with his great batting skills but still it was not enough to give the home side a win.
Team Uganda was also supposed to face Tanzania in the afternoon but the game was abandoned in the 15th over due to rain.
At that point Tanzania was batting and had already collected 48 runs for 9 wickets and this was going to be a walk in the park for Uganda in the chase.
On the ball, the damage was done by Juma Miyagi and Henry Ssenyondo who picked three wickets each on top of Frank Nsubuga’s two and Cosmas Kyewuta’s one.
Lady luck kissed Tanzania as the abandonment saw both teams share points.
RESULTS
Uganda 185/9 (20 overs)
Rwanda 100 all out
Photo Credit: Uganda Cricket Association Media
