Wanderers rise from the ashes with T20 victory

Wanderers were not even one of the favourites to reach the knockout phase of the season-opening National Twenty20 League.

But Sam Walusimbi’s troops pulled a rabbit out of the hat on the final day when they edged Challengers by seven wickets in a controversy-filled semifinal before defeating champions Tornado in the Super Over of a see-saw affair in the final at Lugogo on Sunday.
“For all the times we thought we deserved to win and never did. Now when we also did not think we would, we pulled it off,” said Wanderers skipper Denis Musali after Nkumba University vice-chancellor Professor Paul Mugambi crowned them 2013 T20 National Champions – their first silverware since 2002 when they won the Champions Trophy.
“Who needs the IPL,” joked the wicket-keeper batsman adding, “We shall celebrate on Sunday when I launch my wedding meetings. We are gonna shoot two birds with one stone,” added Musali before his wife-to-be Isabella Abaasa chipped in; “Sweetest win ever. I am proud of Wanderers. Each one of the players played like their lives depended on it. That game (final) deserved 3D DSTV airing.” But the scintillating triumph meant more for club patron and coach Walusimbi, who tirelessly paced around the dugout during the Super Over and literally didn’t know how to celebrate as he hugged everyone in his vicinity, including Tornado players, at the awards ceremony.

“Hmmm, the man (Walusimbi) was over the moon... he totally deserves it,” Wanderers’ all-rounder Davis Karashani, also national team skipper, said.
“We finally got the monkey off our backs.” Karahsani joined the side in November 2000 but had three seasons in between at ACC and Premier.
When they lost Deus Muhumuza (to Tornado), Abdallah Lubega and Farouk Ochimi (both to Patidar) plus the trio of Derrick Bakunzi, Ivan Thawithemwira and Daniel Strachan to Charity Trust Fund in turn among others, Wanderers’ hopes of contesting for any silverware not only further withered but they also struggled to make numbers.

In semifinal and final, they recalled semi-active Hamza Saleh (former U-19 skipper) and John Illukor, who scored 23 in the final including two monstrous sixes, to add experience and quality to their ranks.

In the Super Over, Tornado’s Arthur Kyobe and Okia were both expertly caught by Arthur Ziraba in the deep with only two runs on the board.
Needing three to win, Wanderers’ Illukor, guided spinner Nsubuga’s delivery for four, sending his side’s dressing room and supporters into wild celebrations.

National T20 League

Final: Wanderers 112/6 Tornado 112/8
[Wanderers win Super Over]

Semifinals:
Tornado B 114/6 Tornado 117/4
Challengers 77/8 Wanderers 79/7

INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

Man of series: Roger Mukasa (Tornado B)
Best batsman: Arnold Otwani (Wanderers)
Best bowler: Ratilal Kerai (Kutchi Tigers)
Best fielder: Henry Muyanja (Charity Trust Fund CC)
Best wicket keeper: Martin Ondeko (Nile)

[email protected]