The Cricket Cranes continued their dominance within the ILT20 Continental Cup, efficiently defending their title with a commanding six-wicket victory over Nigeria within the closing final Saturday at Gahanga Stadium, Kigali.
Having clinched the inaugural version in Kenya final yr, Uganda as soon as once more proved their mettle on the continental stage.
Kenya’s last-minute withdrawal from the match altered the dynamics, forcing a revised fixture format the place all groups performed one another thrice.
Regardless of the reshuffle, Uganda maintained an unrelenting efficiency all through the competitors.
Uganda’s journey to the ultimate was nothing in need of spectacular, showcasing their dominance in all three rounds of the match:
First Spherical: Defeated Botswana by 78 runs, Rwanda by 112 runs (DLS), and Nigeria by 5 wickets (DLS).
Second Spherical: Beat Rwanda by 86 runs, Nigeria by 7 wickets, and Botswana by 108 runs.
Third Spherical: Overcame Nigeria by 23 runs, Rwanda by 50 wickets, and Botswana by 32 runs.
Uganda completed the preliminary rounds unbeaten, amassing the utmost 20 factors and setting the best crew rating of 229 runs within the match.
The ultimate, a rain-affected low-scoring contest, noticed Nigeria wrestle to search out momentum after opting to bat first.
They managed solely 89 runs, bowled out in 17.3 overs.
Uganda chased the modest goal with composure, securing a six-wicket win and their second consecutive ILT20 Continental Cup title.
Head coach Abhay Sharma and captain Riazat Ali Shah praised the crew for his or her unbeaten marketing campaign, highlighting the match as very important preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
The crew’s focus now shifts to the Problem League B, set to happen in Hong Kong this February.
The match was additionally marked by particular person milestones together with; Rwanda’s cricket legend, former captain and Guinness World File holder Eric Dusingizimana introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket, Uganda’s Henry Ssenyondo reached the milestone of 100 T20 worldwide wickets, Robinson Obuya registered his highest particular person T20i rating of 83 runs within the match.
Particular person Awards
MVP/Finest Bowler: Henry Ssenyondo (Uganda)
Finest Batter: Robinson Obuya (Uganda)
Finest Fielder: Didier Ndikubwimana (Rwanda)
