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Cricket Cranes spinners mask pace battery woes

Robinson Obuya raises his bat. PHOTO/AMINAH BABIRYE 

What you need to know:

Hustle & Flow. At Kigali’s iconic Gahanga Stadium, Uganda’s Cricket Cranes remain unbeaten in the ILT20 Continent Cup - Africa. Powered by spinners Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani, and Frank Nsubuga, alongside Robinson Obuya’s batting heroics, the team is working with an eye on 2026 T20 World Cup qualification.


Uganda remain unbeaten after six thrilling matches in the ILT20 Continent Cup - Africa, hosted at the scenic Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali.

While the team's grit and moments of brilliance have kept them undefeated and forthwith sealing their spot in Saturday December 15 final, their heavy reliance on spinners has highlighted vulnerabilities in the pace department. 

Kyewuta & Miyagi volatility 

Towering opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta showcased his all-round capabilities with a game-winning performance against Nigeria. His blazing 24 off just 10 balls not out sealed a nail-biting 5-wicket win in a rain-curtailed match.

Adding to his efforts, Kyewuta’s 2/24 with the ball was vital, but his inconsistency and that of his fellow pacer Juma Miyaji over the five Match Days they have played thus far remain a concern.

During Match Day six against Botswana yesterday, both were rested but captain Riazat Ali Shah (0/18 in 2) and Raghav Dhawan (1/26 in 2) both struggled to do any better than the young speedsters.

After setting 229 for 3, Uganda cantered to a108-run victory but the scenario of opponents frequently capitalising on Uganda’s erratic pace bowling, leaving the spin unit to shoulder the burden, played out once again.   

But even in the face of adversity with Kyewuta, Miyaji, Dhawan and Shah’s economy flying at 7.08, 5.82, 9.00 and 13.00 respectively, the quartet are happy to contribute elsewhere like Kyewuta showed with the bat.

Juma Miyagi has not hit the perfect lengths. PHOTO/AMINAH BABIRYE 

“The instructions were clear—see ball, hit ball. I was happy to deliver when it mattered. In T20 cricket, you must be able to contribute all-around withstanding challenges elsewhere.” 

Spin magic under pressure 

Uganda’s spinners have been sensational, with Henry Ssenyondo leading the charge. He tops the tournament’s wicket-takers list with 15 scalps including a fifer (5 for 8 in 4) against Nigeria on Sunday when he picked up his second Man of Match award, a testament to his skill and composure.

Ssenyondo’s contributions, alongside Alpesh Ramjani (10 wickets) and the evergreen Frank Nsubuga (9 scalps), have stifled opposition batsmen in crucial moments. 

“It is easy to play on our team. Everyone has a role, and I am happy to be the impact bowler when called upon,” said Ssenyondo, who now has 111 T20I wickets, whilst attributing the team's success to unity and defined roles.

Medium-pacer Dinesh Nakrani (8 wickets) has also chipped in, providing timely breakthroughs to bolster the team’s bowling depth.  The three sit atop the bowling chart.

Team spirit driving results 

On the batting front, Robinson Obuya has been Uganda’s star, amassing 208 runs at an average of 41.6 in five innings, making him the tournament’s leading scorer.

Skipper Shah, though punching below his weight according to his standards with the bat is still among the top five with 144 runs, lauded the team’s resilience after the tense Nigeria encounter: 

“Our team is full of fighters. Cosmas showed how to kill off a game and we want to be ready when such tense situations come around. We want to prevail from the going forward,” said Shah.

Ramjani scored a half ton on Match Day One and yesterday Shrideep Mangela (65 off 34) and under criticism Simon Ssesazi (85 off 53) attained personal milestones, too, with the former getting his first half century whereas the latter registered his 17th.

With their eyes on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier finals, Uganda’s bowlers will aim to fine-tune their performances, while the batsmen look to continue delivering under pressure.

A perfect campaign so far in Kigali will give the team belief and fuel dreams of progressing to the T20 World Cup in 2026, building on their historic debut earlier this year in West Indies. 

For now, there is a small matter of winning the ILT20 Continent Cup – Africa at hand.

ILT20 CONTINENT CUP - AFRICA

Uganda’s Results Thus Far

Uganda 164/8 Botswana 86/10

(Uganda won by 78 runs)

Uganda 192/7 Rwanda 83/10

(Uganda won by 112 runs DLS)

Nigeria 133/9 Uganda 87/5

(Uganda won by 5 wickets DLS)

Uganda 151/8 Rwanda65/10

(Uganda won by 86 runs)

Nigeria 103/10 Uganda 107/3

(Uganda won by 7 wickets)

Uganda 229/3 Botswana 121/7

(Uganda won by 108 runs)

Today: Rest Day

Wednesday Fixtures - Gahanga

10.15am: Botswana vs. Rwanda

2.45pm: Nigeria vs. Uganda

Tuesday – December 10: Rest Day

ILT20 CONTINENT CUP – AFRICA – TABLE STANDINGS

Team                     M       W       L         D        Pts      NRR

1. Uganda             6        6        0        0        12      4.305

2. Nigeria               5        2        3        0        4        -0.479

3. Botswana           6        2        4        0        4        -1.804

4. Rwanda             5        1        4        0        2        -2.405