Cricket Uganda’s junior side, the Baby Cricket Cranes, announced their arrival at the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier campaign in style.
Clad in yellow, the Baby Cricket Cranes secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Nigeria U19 on Sunday at the Gahanga B Oval in Kigali.
Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid early dividends as the opening seamers made immediate inroads into the Nigerian top order.
Larry Elton Itaagi and Felix Ochan combined effectively with the new ball, putting Nigeria under early pressure and leaving them struggling to build momentum at 50 runs for 6 wickets in 16 overs.
Ochan was simply unplayable, running through Nigeria’s batting lineup and striking early with the first wicket as he swung the ball both ways, keeping the batters under constant pressure to bowl Nigeria out for 176 in 45 overs.
Kenneth Boniface provided the main resistance with an impressive 97 runs off 107 balls, including nine fours and six sixes, while Okasha Isiyaku contributed 34 off 81 deliveries.
Chasing 177 for victory, Uganda made a steady recovery after losing early wickets, with Devanshkumar Ritesh Patel falling for 6 and Abraiz Mir Ali for 7.
Samuel Ahaisibwe anchored the chase with a composed 72 off 90 balls, striking 12 boundaries. He was well supported by Robert Owilli, who contributed a patient 31 off 78 deliveries.
Jackson Asiku provided an unbeaten 17 off 14 balls, while Richard Sohera sealed the victory in style with an unbeaten 20 off just 12 deliveries, including four boundaries.
Uganda reached 178/5 in 38.2 overs to complete the five-wicket victory, finishing 11.4 overs ahead of the target. Ochan was named Player of the Match for his influential three-wicket haul and 4 maidens that built early pressure.
Reacting to the performance, Uganda Head Coach Grace Mutyagaba praised the team’s composure while acknowledging a few fielding lapses:
“We had a few lapses in the field, but the boys showed good composure, especially with the bat. The most important thing was to make sure we won this opening game. We will keep our heads up, we will not undermine any opposition, and we are ready to embrace tomorrow’s challenge against Mozambique.”
The result gives the Baby Cricket Cranes an important boost as they continue their pursuit of a return to Africa Division 1 and, ultimately, another ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup appearance.
Uganda will return to action tomorrow against Mozambique at the same venue, Gahanga B Oval, looking to build on their winning start and maintain momentum in the qualification campaign.
