BY INNOCENT NDAWULA
Africa T20 Cup
Result - Day Two
Easterns 143/6 Uganda 146/5
Uganda won by 5 wickets
Today - Sunday Sept. 16
Western Province vs Uganda
9.30am, Pietermaritzburg Oval
Uganda bounced back strongly enroute defeating table-toppers Easterns, who were yet to lose a match, in Group A dubbed ‘Pool of Death’ on Saturday.
Everything was smooth and crisp for the Ugandans who bowled and batted well in partnerships enroute to the five-wicket win attained with three balls to spare at The Pietermartitzburg University Oval.
The team celebrates the fall of a wicket
Easterns were strangled at 28 for 5 after 6.2 overs with Henry Ssenyondo (2/16 in 4), Riazat Ali Shah (2/23 in 4) and Bilal Hassun (1/34 in 4) delivering the goods after Uganda were asked to bowl first.
Then a lapse period from the East Africans saw them rebuild their innings as they managed another 115 runs in 13.4 overs for the loss of one wicket to set a good target of 143 runs with their skipper Grant Thomson (41 off 34) and mid-order batsmen Matthew Arnold (58 off 42) giving their innings flourish at the end.
But Uganda, who were still hurting after letting victory slip through their hands against Kwazulu Natal Coastal, got things off in a high gear with the required rate at 7.2 runs.
Nakrani’s knock of 34 off 37 was vital for Uganda
Skipper Roger Mukasa went for an early shower for just four runs, but the rest of the top order batsmen showed solidity especially teenager Zephaniah Arinaitwe (34 off 20), who fearlessly took on the opening bowlers and dispatched them to the boundary.
Hamu Kayondo struck 25 off 31 whereas Dinesh Nakrani (34 off 37) and RIazat Ali Shah (26* off 14) got their first purposeful runs of the tour with tournament debutante Kenneth Waiswa finishing unbeaten on 3*.
Hamu Kayondo featured heavily with the bat for Uganda
Today, Uganda wrap up their campaign against South African legend Paul Adams’ Western Province at Kwazulu Natal’s Home Ground in Pietermaritzburg.
Wicket-keeper Fred Achelam and all-rounder Deus Muhumuza must pass late fitness tests after suffering hand injuries during the win yesterday.
But coaches Steve Tikolo and Jackson Ogwang can call on the experience of Charles Waiswa and Frank Nsubuga, who were rested against Easterns, to fill the void.
The Ugandan camp will be boasted by the arrival of two players; opening batsman Simon Ssesazi and all-rounder Emmanuel Isaneez - who arrive in Pietermaritzburg this evening.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Development Officer Africa Justine Ligyalingi, Uganda’s former CEO, has also been a notable presence at the games involving Uganda as he oversees action in Group A.
UGANDA PROBABLE XI VS WESTERN PROVINCE
Roger Mukasa (captain), Brian Masaba (vice-captain), Hamu Kayondo, Dinesh Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa, Riazat Shah, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Charles Waiswa, Bilal Hassun & Zephaniah Arinaitwe
12th man: Fred Achelam 13th man: Deus Muhumuza