By Faith Munezero
Fixtures - Sunday, 7th April 2019
King's College Budo oval
Semi Final Playoff
Aziz Damani Development Team (ADDT) vs Ceylon Lions - 10 am
Final
Avengers vs Winner - 2pm
Finishing top of the class is always a good feeling, aside from the prestige it brings, it comes with a couple of perks that Ceylon Lions seems to be enjoying. After a conceding their first loss of the season in an all important semifinal game to the Avengers, God smiled on the Lions with their top spot finish granting them a second chance at the finals.
Ceylon Lions faced the Avengers two weeks ago, with the favourites putting on 159/6 that the Avengers chased within 19 overs, putting on 162/5 to win by five wickets. The Avengers who came out guns blazing didn't pull any punches, bringing in some heavy artillery to get the job done. The Avengers have kept their 100% unbeaten record so far and intend to keep it up until they hold the winners' trophy. With hard hitters like Kothari Utkarsh who put on 60 off 52 balls in the last encounter and Shubhajeet Ganguly, they will be looking to go hard on the field. Harsh Panchal and Aloysiuos Odoi have led the bowling attack with 22 wickets between them and will be key to winning the final.
New recruit Alex Obanda who starred for the Lions last season making a century on debut will be looking to get past the last games' early departure to get in those much needed runs. Robinson Obuya who finished with an unbeaten 86 off 68 balls will look to repeat his heroics with the bat. Marvin Kitamirike and Collins Abong having been the leading wicket takers for the side and senior player Ruwan Jayaratne will need to strengthen their attack against the agile ADDT side who seem to be following in their senior brothers' footsteps to get to the top. With nine, seven and six wickets between them respectively, a strategy will be required to keep them a step forward throughout.
ADDT have performed remarkably well since they entry into Division Two tier last season. Their 2019 has been moving from glory to glory with wins in all but one of their encounters, especially after facing experienced sides such as ACC and Wanderers, who they beat in the first semifinal game to make it to the next semifinal. Ali Hunzai has been a hard hitter for the side, contributing with the bat as required, and has 319 runs in just seven games. Emmanuel Hasahya who previously featured for the senior side has been pivotal as well with 111 in as many balls to get the side those crucial runs. Raza Ali, Akram Nsubuga and Edwin Nuwagaba have been instrumental in taking the wickets with 22 wickets between them.
The team mainly comprised of youngsters lead by Bosco Akena has had able patronage from Denis Tabby and Hasahya from the senior side to lead them to victory so far, and will be key to getting them through this all important game into the final stage.
With the Avengers ahead of the pack, having secured their ticket to the finals, they will await their contender in the second semi finals' game to see who they battle for the winner's' trophy and coveted champions' title, later that afternoon. It will be an acid test for both the Lions and ADDT. Who will make it to the final? You will have to watch the games this Sunday to find out.