Uganda playing for pride against Kenya

Deus Muhumuza survives a sharp stumping appeal from Kenya wicketkeeper Kavi Dosaja during the ODI series last weekend. Muhumuza was the man-of-match with a haul of five wickets and unbeaten knock of 16 not out. PHOTO BY Martin Mukangu

Nairobi.

Yesterday’s listless display against Qatar ended Uganda’s interest in the ongoing Four-Nations Twenty20 Quadrangular Series.

Uganda went down by six wickets in a low-scoring one-sided affair at Nairobi Jaffrey’s Sports Club in Lavington. Coupled with Monday’s 31-run loss to Saudi Arabia at Nairobi Gymkhana Oval, the Cricket Cranes are out for contention for Friday’s final.

But Steve Tikolo’s charges have a chance of playing ‘Kingmaker’ when they play for pride against Kenya in today’s derby clash at Nairobi Gymkhana Oval. The match will be telecast live by ZUKU TV.

Kenya put on an insipid show as they went down by 39 runs to a fired-up Saudi Arabian-outfit at Gymkhana and now run into wounded Ugandan side eager to get the monkey off their back in the shorter code of the series.

Uganda’s only win in the One Day International (ODI) Series last weekend was against Kenya – a two wicket win last Friday.

And Tikolo believes that result will pump up the Ugandans to complete a rare double of their ‘big brothers.

“We have been losing matches but we are not a bad side,”
said Tikolo, a man who played in five ICC Cricket World Cups.

“We have just been making small mistakes here and there. But the players are fired up for the Kenya game.”

For Kenya, coach Thomas Odoyo says they have no option but beat Uganda convincingly and keep their hopes of progressing alive. “Our shot selection was poor and we paid the price of complacency,” said Odoyo, without trying to find any excuse for his team that was bowled out for 84 while chasing 124 against Saudi Arabia yesterday.

“We have the experienced players to turn the tide. We shall don the thinking caps and stay on our toes.”
At the Nairobi’s Jaffrey’s Ground, Saudi Arabia will take on Qatar and if the latter win, they could as well be in final with a game to spare depending on what happens at Gymkhana Oval.