The Cricket Cranes won the inaugural Continent Cup T20 tournament in Nairobi defeating the hosts Kenya by 1 run in a low scoring thrilling final at the Gymkhana.
The inaugural edition featured four teams that included hosts Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and Rwanda. The teams played a triple round robin format with nine games played with the Cricket Cranes only losing a single game to the hosts Kenya.
The Cricket Cranes were dominant in the wins over Rwanda and Botswana as they boys prepare for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers due in Namibia later in the year.
In a low scoring final, Uganda only managed to score 125 runs in their 20 overs thanks to a composed 42 from Dinesh Nakrani and some low order hitting from Pascal Murungi (31).
In the chase the hosts Kenya were cruising to the win until the 17th over when they slowed down especially after the loss of Captain Rakeep Patel (22) and he was quickly followed by the anchorman Collins Obuya (42) to put the brakes on the run scoring. In the final over Riazat Ali Shah managed to defend the required nine runs to give the Cricket Cranes their fifth T20 title since 2021.
The team celebrated winning the title with its shirts sponsors who had their Group CEO in attendance.
The boys take a break and prepare for the Castle Lite Series in Namibia next month.