Wanderers Cricket Club defeated Ceylon Lions on Sunday in the first 2024 Men’s T20 semifinal by four wickets in a very entertaining clash.
Favourites on paper Lions won the toss and elected to bat first with Charles Musemeza (51 runs) leading the charge.
However, on a low note, the well-constructed half-century didn’t get any support from the rest of the team. The team slipped from a dominant position of 93/3 in 14.2 overs to finish on 136/8 in 20 overs, a chaseble score.
In the run chase, Wasim Butt (24 runs) got Wanderers going and made Ceylon Lions pay for putting him down to lead the charge.
Despite losing some wickets Amaan Singh (35 runs) and Abu Seguya (31 runs) ensured the result for Wanderers getting over the line with 13 balls to spare.
In the other semifinal, at the same venue, Lugogo Cricket Oval, Rounders skittled out Tornado with ease to set up a final with Wanderers.
Tornado batted first but some disciplined bowling from Rounders dried up the run-scoring and the dot-ball pressure gave birth to wickets.
They bowled out for 87 runs, with David Mwesigwa (3/15) and debutant Brian Masaba (3/18) hurting them with the ball.
In the run chase, Rounders lost their top order cheaply but Pius Oloka (18 runs) and Narinder Singh (35 runs) steadied the ship and led the side to a six-wicket win thanks to some clumsy bowling.
Wanderers had a difficult path to the final. They defeated the 2024 Div 1 League winners Kutchi Tigers in the last 8 before seeing off Ceylon in the semifinals.
Rounders held their nerves against Nyakasura in a close quarterfinal before cruising past Tornado in the last 4. The finals will be played on the weekend of 29/09/2024 in Entebbe tentatively.
Courtesy Photos
