Man Of The Moment. Top order batsman and wicketkeeper Charles Musemeza's match-winning knocks have kept Ceylon Lions in the title conversation. PHOTO/COURTESY
2025 National Men’s 50 Over League
May 19, 2025. Match Day Seven of the 2025 UCA Men’s 50 Over League delivered another weekend of competitive cricket, featuring all-round brilliance, top-of-the-table clashes, and record-breaking feats across both divisions.
DIVISION I – PREMIERSHIP
Sunday, May 18
Ceylon Lions vs Wanderers – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
Ceylon Lions won by 66 runs
Ceylon Lions took full advantage of Wanderers’ depleted nine-man squad to post a dominant 66-run win. Charles Musemeza starred with a fluent 84 off 78 balls (11 fours), supported by Ankit Patel (48), guiding Lions to 251 all out in 38.1 overs. Ivan Kakande fought back with 4 wickets.
Wanderers came out swinging with Perry Wazombe (67 off 46) and Abdul Basit Habib (59), but their chase fizzled out at 185/8 in 33 overs. Jonathan Kiiza and Frank Nsubuga bagged two wickets apiece, while Musemeza capped his day with two sharp fielding dismissals.
Player of the Match: Charles Musemeza – 84 runs & 2 fielding dismissals
Kutchi Tigers vs JACC – Jinja Oval
Kutchi Tigers won by 20 runs
In a top-table showdown, Kutchi Tigers edged JACC by 20 runs in a tense low-scorer. Nitin Jeshani once again proved vital with a gritty 84, aided by Mitul Pindoriya’s 41, lifting Kutchi to 193 in 45.4 overs. JACC’s Ivan Baidhu shone with the ball, taking 3/12.
JACC’s reply lacked fluency despite a battling 69 from Aaron Kusasira. Alpesh Hirani (4 wickets) and Ghanshyam Ashani (3/23) shut the door on their chase, bowling them out for 173 in 42.1 overs.
Player of the Match: Alpesh Hirani – 4 wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs
Tornado Bees vs Avengers – Entebbe Cricket Oval
Tornado Bees won by 5 wickets
Tornado Bees delivered a clinical bowling and batting display to dispatch Avengers by 5 wickets. Hamid Munigwa’s fiery 4/48 restricted Avengers to 153 in 48.1 overs. Resistance came from Christopher Kidega (39) and Yashashvi Joshi (36).
In response, Olipa Gerald (66*) anchored the chase confidently, supported by Ismail Munir (35) and Anas Baig (16), as the Bees crossed the line in 36.3 overs.
Player of the Match: Hamid Munigwa – 4 wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs
DIVISION II – CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, May 18
Mukono Development vs Premier – Florida Oval
Mukono Development won by 8 wickets
Mukono’s Fahad Mutagana produced a jaw-dropping all-round performance. After taking 3 wickets to limit Premier to 174 (38.5 overs), the captain turned destroyer with the bat, blasting 115* off just 90 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes. Mukono chased down the target in only 26.3 overs.
Player of the Match: Fahad Mutagana – 115* & 3 wickets for 23 runs in 7 overs.
Tornado vs Ismaili Community – GM Sugar Oval
Ismaili Community won by 83 runs
Ismaili Community welcomed Tornado CC back to the fold with a dominant 83-run victory. Shehzad Khan (57) and Imtiaz Ali (31) powered them to 188 in 42.5 overs. Former Victoria Pearls coach Lawrence Ssempijja claimed 4 wickets for just 22 runs in 8.5 overs for Tornado.
In reply, Tornado faltered under early pressure from Mujeeb Sultan (3 wickets) before Nazim Punjwani ran riot with a 5-wicket haul. Tornado were dismissed for 105 in 27.3 overs.
Player of the Match: Nazim Punjwani – 5 wickets for 8 runs in 3.3 overs
Standings Snapshot (After Matchday 7)
Division One – Premiership
• Kutchi Tigers – 9 pts (5 matches)
• Ceylon Lions – 7 pts (5 matches)
• JACC – 6 pts (5 matches)
Division Two – Championship
• Group A: Kutchi Tigers B & Soroti City – 4 pts (2 matches)
• Group B: GM Sugar – 6 pts (3 matches), Mukono Devt & Ismail Community – 5 pts (4 matches)
Notable Performances – Matchday Seven
Batting Highlights:
• Fahad Mutagana (Mukono Development) – 115* off 90 balls, match-winning masterclass
• Charles Musemeza (Ceylon Lions) – 84 off 78, led from the front
• Aaron Kusasira (JACC) – 69, half century in vain chase
Bowling Highlights:
• Alpesh Hirani (Kutchi Tigers) – 4 wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs, in a pressure-filled match
• Munigwa Hamid (Tornado Bees) – 4/48 in 10 overs, to stiffle Avengers’ innings & set up victory
• Nazim Punjwani (Ismaili Community) – 5-wicket haul for just 8 runs in 3.3 overs, demolition job.
• Lawrence Ssempijja (Tornado) – 4 wickets for 22 runs on his return in losing effort, real talent
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