The Uganda Cricket Series UG20 2025 served up a blockbuster quarterfinal round on Saturday, delivering high drama, shocking upsets, and a reshaped path to the title on Sunday November 9.
Defending champions Wanderers CC and last year’s runners-up Rounders CC, two giants of the competition were both knocked out, paving the way for debutants GM Sugar CC and Division Two underdogs Ismaili Community CC to storm into the semifinals with fearless cricket.
At the Lugogo Cricket Oval, the reigning champions Wanderers CC bowed out after a six-wicket defeat to a rejuvenated Aboojo CC.
The champions stumbled to 133/9, with only Joseph Byaruhanga (28) offering resistance.
Aboojo replied in style, chasing down the target in just 14 overs as Joseph Baguma’s blistering 39 off 19 and Pascal Murungi’s unbeaten 44* powered them to a famous win.
Earlier in the morning at same venue, tournament newcomers GM Sugar CC stunned last year’s finalists Rounders CC in the upset of the day.
Rounders posted a modest 84/4, but GM Sugar’s batters made light work of the chase, winning by nine wickets.
Bhaveshbhai Khapabhai Patel was the star, smashing an unbeaten 55 off 35 balls to lead the debutants into the semifinals with authority.
Meanwhile, in Entebbe, Division Two side Ismaili Community CC pulled off one of the biggest shocks in UG20 history, eliminating the mighty Kutchi Tigers CC by 14 runs.
Pervaiz Ali’s magnificent 77 off 57 balls anchored Ismaili’s 136/5 before Nazim Punjwani’s 3/16 spell broke the Tigers’ chase apart.
The victory marked a fairytale moment for the underdogs, who now march into their first-ever semifinal.
The day began with Avengers CC exorcising last year’s demons by defeating Ceylon Lions in a rain-shortened six-over clash.
The Avengers defended 70/5 with precision as Yashashvi Joshi’s calm bowling (2/11) sealed a 13-run win and a semifinal berth.
With Aboojo, Avengers, GM Sugar, and Ismaili Community now set for the semifinals, the 2025 UG20 has taken a thrilling twist.
