Game Winners: From Soroti City's young spinner Gideon Outeke to Ceylon Lions' Brighton Muganzi, SKLPS' Varsani Nimesh Shamji and Mukono Warriors' Harsh Panchal, the league was lit up with several individual performances on Matchday 8. PHOTOS/AMINA BABIRYE & UCA MEDIA
2025 UCA National Men’s 50 Over League
May 26, 2025. Matchday Eight of the 2025 UCA Men’s 50 Over League delivered major upsets, commanding individual displays, and a significant reshuffle at the top of Division I.
DIVISION I – PREMIERSHIP
Saturday, May 24
Wanderers vs Rounders – Lugogo Cricket Oval
Wanderers won by 25 runs
Wanderers finally got off the mark with a spirited 25-run win over arch-rivals Rounders. Buoyed by new signing Vamsi Krishna (58), Wanderers posted 209 in 39 overs. Openers Wassim Butt (26) and Perry Wazombe (59 off 39) laid the platform before a collapse saw five wickets fall for just 22 runs.
Rounders’ chase started shakily and lost Ronald Puwata early. Despite Narinder Singh’s battling 48, regular breakthroughs derailed their pursuit. With 26 runs needed and one wicket in hand, Jonathan Nyiiro’s attempt at a six was cut short by a boundary catch, ending their chase at 184 in 45.1 overs.
While Rounders expressed disappointment over certain moments during the match, they continued to play on in the true spirit of the gentleman’s game. They will now turn their attention to a key fixture - the highly anticipated Jinja Derby against Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC). Wanderers remain at the bottom the win and face a stern test in against a fiery Avengers side next.
Player of the Match: Abrar Ul Haq – 4 wickets for 29 runs in 10 overs
Sunday, May 25
Kutchi Tigers vs Aboojo – Lugogo Cricket Oval
Aboojo won by 7 wickets
Defending champions Kutchi Tigers were handed a stunning reality check as Aboojo CC dismantled them by 7 wickets in one of the most surprising results of the season. Batting first, Kutchi were bundled out for 153 in just 29.4 overs. Only Avnish Vekariya (41) and Cyrus Kakuru (39) offered resistance as Joseph Baguma (4/17) and Lindon Mutengesa (3/13) wreaked havoc.
Aboojo's chase was rapid and ruthless. Despite early setbacks, Baguma capped a stellar all-round performance with a blistering unbeaten half century of 68 off 38 balls, while Pascal Murungi (38) and Brian Asaba (34)* saw them home in just 15.3 overs at 154/3.
Player of the Match: Joseph Baguma – 68* & 4 wickets for 17 runs
Eyes On The Ball: Wanderers wicketkeeper Denis Musali looks to catch while standing up to a Rounders batsman. The latter fell short by 25 runs in an epic clash at Lugogo.
Ceylon Lions vs Avengers – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
Ceylon Lions won by 3 wickets
Ceylon Lions continued their ascent to the top of the Premiership with a 3-wicket win over Avengers CC, who slumped to a second straight loss. Avengers, batting first, collapsed to 114 all out in 26.1 overs. Only Abraiz Mir Ali (32) and Yunus Sowobi (16) offered resistance as Brighton Muganzi delivered a masterclass with figures of 5/12 in 4.1 overs, well supported by Juma Miyaji (3 wickets).
Despite a few jitters in their chase, Ceylon Lions rode on quick knocks from Charles Musemeza (28) and Ankit Patel (25) to reach the target in 20.4 overs at 116/7. Joshi Yashashvi bowled his heart out for Avengers with 4 wickets but lacked support from the rest of the bowling crew.
Player of the Match: Brighton Muganzi – 5 wickets for 12 runs in 4.1 overs
DIVISION II – CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, May 25
Mukono Development vs SKLPS – Florida Oval
SKLPS won by 9 wickets
After last weekend’s heroics, Mukono Development were brought back down to earth with a crushing 9-wicket loss to Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj (SKLPS). Mukono crumbled to just 68 all out in 26 overs, undone by Dipak Limbani (4/10) and Dinesh Manji Vekariya (3 wickets) plus Ritesh Gaypanga’s two scalps.
SKLPS wasted no time in the chase, knocking off the target in 10.1 overs, finishing at 73/1. Varsani Nimesh Shamji led the way with a brisk 33* off 23 balls, supported by Shashi Kerai’s 26*. Rashmin Harji Gami was the only batter dismissed, bowled by Mukono captain Fahad Mutagana (1/6).
This dominant performance gave SKLPS their first win of the season, bouncing back after previous struggles. Meanwhile, Mukono Development’s inconsistency remains a concern as they were thoroughly outplayed in all departments just a week after an impressive victory.
Player of the Match: Varsani Nimesh Shamji (33* off 23 balls & 1/13)
Mukono Warriors vs St John’s SS – Jinja SS Oval
Mukono Warriors won by 140 runs
Mukono Warriors CC produced a commanding display. Batting first, Warriors posted 199 in 34.2 overs, powered by Alpesh Mepani (39), Ankur Thakur (35), and Harsh Panchal (34), with extras contributing 30. Despite the solid start, they lost wickets regularly to Denis Emmanuel Okwalinga (3/34) and Abdul Bastu Kyasanku (2/49).
In reply, St John’s collapsed for just 59 in 14.1 overs. Only Jonathan Nsamba (25) resisted. Harsh Panchal shone with a hat-trick in his 3/27 spell, supported by Hemant Hirani (3 scalps) and Hardik Donga -who bagged 4 wickets for 0 runs in just 2.1 overs. A statement win for Mukono Warriors, who flexed their bowling depth, while St John’s were handed a heavy defeat.
Player of the Match: Harsh Panchal (34 runs & 3/27, including a hat-trick)
Soroti City vs Patidar – Entebbe Cricket Oval
Soroti City won by 40 runs
Soroti City extended their dream debut season with a third straight win. Batting first, Soroti struggled to 114 all out in 25 overs, with only Captain Ronald Ebulu (17) and Derrick Bakunzi (24) offering resistance. Their innings included a rare "obstructing the field" dismissal.
Patidar started steadily at 21/0, but Gideon Outeke turned the tide. After scoring 12, he bowled a superb 10-over spell - 5 wickets for 11 runs with 4 maidens - to seal the win and claim back-to-back Player of the Match awards.
Despite a gritty 28* from Parakash Shah, Patidar fell well short, confirming Soroti’s place atop Group A with 6 points from 3 games.
Player of the Match: Gideon Outeke (12 runs, 5/11 in 10 overs, 4 maidens)
Kutchi Tigers B vs Entale – Matchday Fixture
Match postponed
The encounter was postponed after Entale requested a deferment to join their community in mourning a departed one. Both will coordinate with the organisers for a suitable rescheduled date.
Circle Of Trust: Wanderers huddle after making in-roads into Rounders batting line-up. It was the Kampala-based side's first victory of the season.
Standings Snapshot (After Matchday 8)
Division One – Premiership
- Ceylon Lions – 9 pts (6 matches)
- Kutchi Tigers – 9 pts (6 matches)
Division Two – Championship
- Group A: Soroti City – 6 pts (4 matches), Kutchi Tigers B – 4 pts (2 matches)
- Group B: GM Sugar – 6 pts (3 matches), Mukono Warriors – 5 pts (3 matches)
Notable Performances – Matchday 8
Batting Highlights:
- Joseph Baguma (Aboojo) – 68* off 38 balls, all-round match winner
- Perry Wazombe (Wanderers) – 59 off 39 balls, set the tempo
- Imtiaz Ali (Ismaili Community) – 43 runs under pressure
Bowling Highlights:
- Brighton Muganzi (Ceylon Lions) – 5 wickets for 12 runs in 4.1 overs, game-changer
- Abrar Ul Haq (Wanderers) – 4/29 in a clutch win
- Baguma Joseph (Aboojo) – 4/17 to trigger collapse
- Dipak Limbani (SKLPS) – 4/10 to crush Mukono early
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