Uganda’s national cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, made it two wins from as many games at the ILT20 Continental Cup after defeating Botswana by five wickets at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B in Kigali.
Following a record-breaking 114-run victory over Sierra Leone, the Cranes pulled off another commanding performance, this time chasing down Botswana’s 101 for 7 in just 9.3 overs.
The victory gives Uganda four points from their opening two matches and strengthens their position in the five-team tournament.
After Botswana won the toss and elected to bat, the Cranes produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict the Zebras to 101 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs.
Off-spinner Joseph Baguma, who had a poor day by his standards against Sierra Leone, was the pick of the bowlers, returning excellent figures of 3 wickets for 14 runs from his four overs to hand him the Man of The Match accolade.
Opening bowler Juma Miyagi also continued his impressive start to the tournament with 2 wickets for 9 runs from four overs, while Matthew Musinguzi and captain Riazat Ali Shah claimed one wicket apiece.
Botswana struggled to build sustained partnerships against Uganda’s attack, with Valentine Mbazo managing 32 runs, Vinno Balakrishnan putting 16 on the scoreboard, and Thatayaone Tshose adding 10.
Uganda’s response to the 101 score was built around another explosive contribution from Robinson Obuya. The powerful opener smashed an unbeaten 51 from just 28 balls, striking six fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 182.14 to anchor a chase that was completed inside 10 overs.
Gerald Olipa chipped in with 24 from only 10 balls, including three sixes, while Charles Musemeza followed his debut half-century against Sierra Leone with a brisk 15 from 11 balls.
Wicketkeeper Cyrus Kakuru finished unbeaten on four as Uganda reached 105 for 5 in 9.3 overs to seal a five-wicket victory.
Head coach Steve Tikolo made one change to the side that defeated Sierra Leone, handing paceman Enock Kasaija his T20I debut in place of Cosmas Kyewuta.
Kasaija bowled three overs for 22 runs as Uganda continued to widen their T20 options in Kigali. The Cricket Cranes now turn their attention to hosts Rwanda, with the two sides meeting on Friday, September 11, at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B.
