Aziz Damani set dominance platform after T20 triumph
Aziz Damani strolled to yet another T20 title after a 26-run win over KICC at Kyambogo Oval on Sunday. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
KAMPALA. Aziz Damani started 2019 on a winning note after bagging the UCA Divisional Twenty20 Cup following a 26-run victory over KICC in the final at Kyambogo Oval on Sunday. It was a stamp to a spectacular five years that Damani has been in existence.
Damani’s star-studded unit was nonetheless unstoppable to their eighth trophy in their life span, much to the delight of CEO Siva Koti.
“We got an easy win,” said captain Ghulam Hunzai after the final. “The wicket was difficult to bat on in the second innings and that was the advantage for us.” After KICC had beaten Challengers in the playoff eliminator final, Hunzai won the toss and elected to bat. The decision paid off as openers Roger Mukasa (22 off 15) and Saud Islam put on 38 runs in 4.5 overs.
Islam went on to seal his spot on top of the tournament batting charts with a half-ton of 74 runs off 51 balls that included four boundaries and three sixes.
He had shared 57 runs with Kenneth Waiswa (24 off 22) for the second wicket before adding another 47 runs with Riazat Ali (24 off 22) before falling at 17.1 overs with the board on 142-3.
“Thanks to God that Saud and Roger scored some good runs and had the partnership for first wicket,” added a jubilant Hunzai.
Islam finished with 420 runs in 13 matches. Damani was later safe to 162-6 and KICC struggled to match them, as if were in the 31-run victory during the Unimoni T20 Cup final on December 9, 2018.
KICC were 32-3 after 27 balls as their ‘Old Boy’ Frank Nsubuga ran riot with 3/22. And they hardly recovered even if Deus Muhumuza stood out with 34 runs off 21 balls.
“We will be a very competitive side in the 50-over version,” said KICC captain Hanumant Katkar.
