Uganda survive Botswana ambush to remain on top

Cricket. Uganda play Nigeria at Kyambogo today morning

Uganda escaped through the back door in-front of a fair crowd at Lugogo Oval to edge Botswana by 27 runs in a low-scoring thriller to remain top of the log as the first round of the Pepsi ICC Africa Division I Twenty20 Qualfier climaxed yesterday.

Batting coach Steve Tikolo had predicted that unknown quantities Botswana would provide the biggest test to Uganda’s title ambitions and his words lived to pass as the the Southern Africans bowled out an unsuspecting Uganda for 86 in 18.4 overs.

Nine of Uganda’s wickets fell to poor shots as the homeboys tried ill-advised heaves across the line with six of them losing their stumps whereas three were caught in the deep going for broke.

Man of the match Charles Waiswa (23 off 19), Frank Nsubuga (16 off 24), Deus Muhumuza (13 off 19) and Brian Masaba (12 off 14) rescued Uganda’s labored innings that was 50 for 8 after just 13 overs.

Surprisingly it was skipper Davis Karashani’s first toss that he called right and omens were looking right but the Botswana bowlers Hasantha Mudiyanselage (2/13) and Whitey Russel (3/11) had different ideas as they run through the Ugandans batting line-up like a hot knife through butter.

“This is the sweetest win so far,” Karashani (2/12) said after his bowlers Waiswa (3/11), Masaba (3/12), Henry Ssenyondo (1/12) and Nsubuga (0/9) got Uganda out of jail as Botswana were bowled out for a paltry 59.

“This is a wake-up call for us and we will take all the criticism in good faith. It also showed up that anything can happen in cricket.”

Uganda have to bury the hatchet, pick the positives and keep the momentum going as they face tricky Nigeria at Kyambogo Oval this morning. “Nigeria is the team that we have played most and we have to show nerve and will that we can continue picking up wins against them,” said Waiswa.

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