- Gladiators 104/7 in 20 Overs (Suleman Sharif 25, Paul Mulongo 24; Henry Ssenyondo 2/12, Rayan Tendo 2/21)
- Strikers 70/10 in 19.5 Overs (Yunus Sowobi 18, Robinson Obuya 9; Edwin Nuwagaba 2/6, Musa Majid Ramathan 2/11, Suleman 2/13)
Gladiators won by 34 runs
Gladiators stayed firmly in the title hunt with a controlled 34 run victory over Strikers at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe on Thursday morning, keeping the heat on Batball MAXX Challenge Cup leaders Blasters on Day 12.
After winning the toss, captain Gerald Olipa chose to bat on a tricky surface where runs had to be worked for.
Suleman Sharif steadied the innings with a patient 25 off 28 balls after the early loss of Brian Asaba, while Olipa added a gritty 16.
The innings gained shape through Paul Mulongo’s calm, unbeaten 24 and a late push from Musa Majid Ramathan, whose 18 off 11 balls lifted Gladiators to 104 for 7.
Strikers kept things tight through Ssenyondo Henry and Tendo Rayan, who took two wickets each, and Hamid Munigwa’s tidy spell, but the total proved enough.
Gladiators’ bowlers then took charge, Musa Majid Ramathan struck early to remove Strikers captain Robinson Obuya, and the pressure never eased.
Sharif and Dan Keith Amani controlled the middle overs, while Aziz Abdul Tandia bowled with discipline to choke the chase.
Yunus Sowobi offered brief resistance with a lively 41 off 18 balls, but he lacked support. Edwin Nuwagaba finished the job as Strikers were bowled out for 70 in 19.5 overs.
The win keeps Gladiators second on the table with 12 points, two behind Blasters and six clear of Warriors, ensuring the title race remains alive.
The action continues later in the day at the same venue as Warriors take on Titans.
