Cricket Cranes surge to top of log
Saud Islam (in Pic) was in fine form, combining with Simon Ssesazi for a 71-run opening stand. Photo/Eddie Chicco
What you need to know:
Class Act. After conniving to play college-like cricket against Eswatini on Tuesday, the Cricket Cranes got their act together and showed class enroute to dislodging table toppers Ghana by 79 runs.
Uganda reigned against Ghana with a bullish 79-run win in the table-toppers clash of the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Twenty20 Sub-Regional World Cup Qualifier to put one hand on this meet’s trophy and have fate in their hands for a place to the Africa Finals scheduled for November 15-21 here in Kigali.
The Cricket Cranes still have business to do with a clash against Seychelles tomorrow at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) in Kicukiro but it was always going to boil down to this particular match against ‘the big talking’ West Africans.
And to their credit, Ghana have more than been very competitive at this seven-nation showpiece; winning five games on the trot but found more than their match in a resilient Ugandan side that came out guns blazing after sensing blood in a duel that had been dubbed as a ‘winner-takes-it-all’ affair.
Driver’s seat
Victory for Uganda, who set 179 runs for 6 wickets on the backbone of a 71-run opening stand between Saud Islam (67) and Simon Ssesazi (37), and bowled out Ghana for 97 runs in 19.1 overs after Dinesh Nakrani (3/17), Riazat Ali Shah (2/7), Frank Nsubuga (2/11) and Bilal Hassun (2/18)’s incisive spells, took them atop the log with a better Net Run Rate of 4.654 with a game to play. Ghana, who have played out their fixtures, watched on helplessly as their NRR dropped to 2.220.
Best of the best
“This is the best clinical performance I have seen from the team since I took over the job,” coach Laurence Mahatlane said in praise of skipper Deus Muhumuza (1/18) and the rest of the brigade.
“We got to 176 without being cowboys and then restricted them to less than 100. That was super special because we also had to beat the weather (looming rain) as we went about our business. Keeping it simple is the way to go.”
Muhumuza paid tribute to his teammates and shared commiserations with Ghana.
“We have taken back our rightful place on top of the table,” said the 32-year-old all-rounder.
“In cricket the game can go any direction. But we have done our bit. You have to feel for Ghana who have also played well throughout until our meet. They’re a good side.”
Promise for future
Ghana captain Obed Harvey, who played through a pain barrier after a delivery against Eswatini bowler Mancoba Jele pierced through his head gear and fractured his nose on Wednesday, congratulated Uganda and promised that his team will bounce back.
“Uganda came here as favourites and they have lived up to that billing. For us, we have a new young side and we will go back to work and improve on a certain things,” said the soft-spoken Harvey.
Uganda will be looking to end with a 100 per cent record at the showpiece when they play Seychelles in the last fixture of the tourney this afternoon.
