Uganda 159/1 in 37 Overs – 210/1 in 32 Overs (Roger Mukasa 59* off 110, Hamu Kayondo 40* off 72, Simon Ssesazi (36 off 41, Usman Ali 1/26 in 10) beat Saudi Arabia 143 All Out in 30.1 Overs (Muhammad Afzal 40 off 45, Saeed Inayat 23 off 29, Irfan Afridi 3/7 in 7, Bilal Hassun 3/53 in 6) by 67 runs (DLS Method).
“We shall bounce back,” was the line coming off each of the Cricket Cranes players, coaches and backroom staff after a painful 12-run loss to Saudi Arabia in a Limited Overs (50) at the University Oval in Kyambogo yesterday (March 31).
The agony of defeat was unbearable for all and sundry that had turned up in droves to support Uganda. But Steve Tikolo and his boys showed their bounce backability with a gritty, if not exciting, brand of cricket as they outwitted the Saudis by 67 runs at Kyambogo on Easter Sunday.
It was a new bright day, new month and the Lord had risen – just as He said in the Holy Scriptures – and the Cricket Cranes opened the month’s new page in the manner everyone in the Ugandan cricket fraternity would have wanted.
Batting resurrection
The batting resurrected with young left-hander Simon Ssesazi (36 off 41) and skipper Roger Mukasa (59* off 110) grinding out an opening stand of 75 in 13 overs. And by the time Usman Ali (1/26) claimed the scalp of stroke-making Ssesazi’s caught in the deep by Imran Arif, a dream platform had been laid and new man Hamu Kayondo only continued to make hay.
Kayondo was unbeaten on 40 runs off 72 balls with the scoreboard reading 159 for 1 in 37 overs as the heavens opened with the Ugandans planning to launch their acceleration gears.
The heavy downpour ensured the Ugandans would not bat any further and Duckworth Lewis Stuart (DLS) Method stated that Saudi Arabia needed 211 runs to win the remaining time (32 overs).
With clouds partly clear, the crowds grew in tens and Saudi Arabia knew they had to go gung-ho style if they were to have a chance at getting to the required target at 6.5 runs per over.
Glory hunt
Faisal Khan gave the visitors some belief when he plundered Uganda’s opening Bilal Hassan all over the pack for 20 in the opening over including three mighty sixes.
Going for glory was always going to be the Arabs downfall as Hassan got the last laugh by prizing out Khan for 20 off 9. Hassan was expensive with figures of 3 for 53 in 6 overs but he had able support with the rest of the bowling arsenal chipping in with purpose.
Leg-spinner Irfan Mohammed Afridi (3 for 7 in 7) was parsimonious with deceptive lengths in a spell that was made more colourful with three maidens, Henry Ssenyondo (2 for 26 in 7) and Kenneth Waiswa (1 for 19 in 3.1) ensured the visitors never kept up with the required rate.
Captain Muhammad Afzal (40 off 45), Inayat Saeed (23 off 29) and Zeeshan Sarfraz Butt (15 off 36) where the only other batsmen to reach double figures as Saudi Arabia fell apart for 143 in 30.1 overs.
The Ugandans fans wore looks of excitement after the rain-shortened game but just like the team dug out, the celebrations were muted as there is still more work to be done when the series resume on Tuesday April 3 at Lugogo Oval.
For now, the Cricket Cranes will have their late ‘Happy Easter’ parties with a smirk on their faces.
