The Cricket Cranes began the decisive final leg of their ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B campaign with a commanding 90-run DLS victory over hosts Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
This was a victory that demanded a ruthless display of spin bowling. Uganda won the toss at the Estim Ground (TCA Arena UDSM) and elected to bat.
The Cranes made a flying start, reaching 51 without loss in 5.3 overs, before persistent rain swept across Dar es Salaam.
What followed was a long three-hour interruption, an enforced early lunch, and a nervous wait for everyone hoping to see the game resume.
When the rain finally stopped, the ground staff worked tirelessly to get the wet outfield playable, including filling damp patches with sawdust. This gave umpires Langton Rusere and Iknow Chabi, alongside tournament referee Owen Chirombe, an opportunity to squeeze in the minimum 20 overs required for a result.
The restart came with the match reduced to a 20-over contest. Uganda made the most of their remaining resources, putting up 91 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their final 14.3 overs to finish on 142/8.
Raghav Dhawan top-scored with a fluent 43 off 30 balls, while Simon Ssesazi made a composed 35 off 40. Sumeet Verma added 18 before Uganda’s lower order pushed the total beyond 140.
With rain having dramatically shortened the contest, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method added 19 runs to Uganda’s target score, leaving Tanzania needing 162 runs to win from 20 overs.
Uganda unleashed spin from both ends, with four of the six bowlers used operating as spinners. Only Juma Miyaji and Dinesh Nakrani provided the seam-bowling options.
Player of the Match Henry Ssenyondo produced the day’s outstanding spell, claiming 3/7 from four overs, while Joseph Baguma backed him up with 3/13 from four, including a maiden.
Tanzania fought back through Dhrumit Mehta’s explosive 24 off 15 balls, which briefly threatened to ignite the chase, but once he was dismissed at 30/1, the home side unraveled. Tanzania slipped from 44/5 to 62/9 before being bowled out for just 71 in 17.4 overs.
Uganda therefore completed a 90-run DLS victory, putting two valuable points on the board and making the perfect start to the final leg.
The Cricket Cranes now turn their attention to Italy on Tuesday, 11 August, at the NTS Ground (TCA Arena UDSM), before facing Hong Kong China on Wednesday, 12 August, at the same venue.
