The Batball Maxx tournament delivered an unforgettable season opener, culminating in a nail-biting final on Sunday afternoon.
Team Gold edged past Team Emerald by one wicket in a dramatic finish, thanks to Rwandan international Zappy Bimenyimana, who sealed the victory with a last over six. Gold chased down Emerald’s 181/7 in 19.5 overs, finishing at 184/9.
- Emerald 181/7 (Ronald Lutaaya 46*, Simon Ssesazi 43)
- Gold 184/9 (Steven Wabwose 34, Kenneth Waiswa 32)
- Gold won by One Wicket
After an impressive group stage campaign, winning five out of six games, Emerald looked set to dominate in the final.
They posted a respectable 181/7 in their 20 overs, powered by crucial contributions from Simon Ssesazi (43), Ronald Lutaaya (46*), and Pascal Murungi (31).
Despite early breakthroughs from Gold’s bowlers, including a three-wicket haul from Yunus Sowobi (3/29 in 4 overs), Emerald’s middle-order resilience ensured a competitive total.
Gold’s chase began with an explosive 28 off 13 balls from Robinson Obuya, setting the tone. However, Emerald struck back with regular wickets, putting Gold under pressure. Kenneth Waiswa’s blistering 32 off 13 balls (with three sixes) kept the chase alive, while Steven Wabwose contributed a crucial 34.
As the game neared its climax, Gold needed six runs from the final two balls with just one wicket in hand. Bimenyimana entered the fray and launched a maximum under pressure to seal a thrilling win for Gold.
Gold’s captain, Kenneth Waiswa, was named Player of the Series, amassing 573 points while his brother Geoffrey Kakaire of Sapphire, took home the Young Player of the Series award.
Despite Emerald’s heartbreak, Ronald Lutaaya was recognized as the Best Batter scoring 274 runs in the tournament while his teammate Ivan Baidu emerged as the Best Bowler with 13 wickets.
The Batball Maxx final proved to be a thrilling start to the season, showcasing high-level cricket and intense competition from all four participating teams
