Match Day two of the ongoing East Africa Trophy T20 Cup in Kigali, Rwanda ended sourly for Uganda as they lost by 3 wickets to Tanzania.
Matches involving Uganda and Tanzania in this format have been known to serve fans with some crackers! This one was no exception.
Tanzania’s dominance
The two sides went toe to toe throughout the game, but in the end, Tanzania who lost the Africa Cup final to Uganda last year got their revenge.
The side will have Ivan Selemani to thank for delivering this victory. While Mohammed Kitunda (46), Amal Rajeevan (28) and Mohammed Yunusi (3 wickets) performed well for their side, it was Selemani who did the dirty work to ensure that his team get the better of Uganda.
Selemani hit 59 runs, but the manner in which he did that was what made the difference. Selemani hit 6 sixes and 2 fours. His partnership with Rajeevan was especially damaging for the Cricket Cranes.
The duo combined for 89 as Tanzania chased down the 176/6 score Uganda had put on board.
Uganda’s response
Kenneth Waiswa did some cleaning at the backend. The all-rounder picked those very important wickets, but the two had already administered the damage.
Waiswa broke the above partnership by first clean bowling Selemani, but even when he dismissed both Kassim Chete and Rajeevan in the 18th Over, damage had already been done.
All the Tanzanian tailenders had to do was to score a run per ball in the last Over.
There was a possibility of a Super Over, but when wicketkeeper, Cyrus Kakuru off the bowling of Waiswa ran out Umar Sheikh with one run needed from one ball, the incoming batter Sanjay Kumar hit the last ball for a four and any hopes of reclaiming the game through a Super Over were squashed.
Uganda had some notable performers. Ronak Patel came out with a half century of 61, Roger Mukasa and Ronald Lutaya scored 42 and 37 respectively and Alpesh Ramjani picked three wickets, but it was Tanzania who took the day.
Uganda still lead the table standings in Gahanga owing to their Match Day one opening victories.
Courtesy Photos
