Reality check for Uganda
Captain Roger Mukasa (L) and left-arm opening bowler Charles Waiswa haven’t had a chance to celebrate wickets at the Africa T20 Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Photo by Innocent Ndawula
PIETERMARITZBURG- From the highs of bossing the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Africa ‘B’ Qualifier held at Gahanga Stadium, Rwanda in July, the Cricket Cranes have been given a reality check here in South Africa.
Uganda lost only twice in six games at the four-nation showpiece in Kigali enroute to qualifying for the ICC World T20 Africa Qualifier next year then. Fast forward to Pietermaritzburg, Steve Tikolo’s boys had already lost twice from as many games after Day One of the expanded Africa T20 Cup, organised by Cricket South Africa (CSA).
In the 20-run loss to Kwazulu Natal Coastal, the Ugandans were guilty of throwing away momentum while chasing a manageable 163.
From 87 for 3 after 10 overs, Uganda collapsed to 117 for 6 in 16 overs thus managing 30 runs in 6 overs to ‘allow’ the hosts to bounce back into the match and forthwith win it.
In the afternoon game, Uganda suffered a huge 133-run loss to defending champions Kwazulu Natal Inland at the Pietermaritzburg Varsity Oval in what was a listless and insipid show.
Teenager Zephaniah Arinaitwe (35 off 20), on his competitive debut, was one of positive talking points for Uganda as he exhibited flashes of brilliance in an opening partnership with captain Roger Mukasa (24 off 21) of 72 runs in 7 overs.
Uganda will look to end on a high against legendary South African Paul Adams’ Western Province at The Oval in Pietermaritzburg.
Friday results
KZN Coastal 163/5 Uganda 143/8
Uganda lost by 20 runs
KZN Inland 227/2 Uganda 94/10
Uganda lost by 133 runs
