Mukasa gives Uganda first win on UAE Tour

. Uganda is preparing for two international tournaments where they must finish among the top two nations to achieve more funding from the International Cricket Council and promotion to the Associates’ Div II.

“You win some, you lose some,” so goes the old adage. After losing four back-to-back limited over (50 overs) internationals to select sides in the Middle East, the men’s senior national team finally showed they had learnt from their recent whippings by finally toppling the highly rated UAE side by 33 runs on Friday.

Roger Mukasa, who has had his tail between his legs for the larger part of the tour, came out of his shell with a knock worth the enviable reputation he commands in East Africa as the region’s best batsman.

Five runs short
Mukasa fell five runs short of his century but the 135-ball innings he played did more than enough to spike out the incisiveness of a previously hard to encounter UAE bowling attack. His score of 95 came between two partnerships of over 50 runs apiece with Mitch Horrocks (33) and Khaalid Moothosamy (19).

The mid order also had a significant contributions with Lawrence Ssematimba (22), Mohammed Shafeek (22*), Shaaiq Choudhry (12) and Jonathan Ssebanja (12*) helping Uganda set 233-6.

Man of Match Mukasa did not lose the rhythm as he later snared 2 for 31 in his 10 overs - figures similar to skipper Davis Karashani as the hosts were bowled out for 200.

Martin Suji’s boys conclude their 10-day tour this evening with a Twenty20 game at the Al Dhaid Cricket Village Oval in Sharjah.

Called off
Back home, two fixtures (KICC-Challengers and Warriors-JACC) are off as the 19-team National T20 League bowls off this morning at four different ovals.

Title holders Tornado will be without Benjamin Musoke, Arthur Kyobe, Assadu Seiga and skipper Frank Nsubuga against Challengers in Entebbe. National team prospect Richard Okia will captain Tornado.

“Although we will be without them, there is no big worry,” said Okia after Friday’s training session. Challengers will be without Shafeek, who is on national duty in the gulf but will have Abraham Alema, signed from Charity, to bank on.

Without skipper Ssebanja, Charity will look for inspiration from returnee Derrick Bakunzi as they engage ACC and SKPLS at the University Oval in Kyambogo. Mainstays Nile entertain ‘new boys’ Kutchi Tigers in Lugogo.