Uganda have moved within two games of another ILT20 Continent Cup final, but the Cricket Cranes’ route to Saturday’s showpiece now runs through two increasingly significant East African derbies.
Uganda’s five-wicket victory over Botswana at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium Main Oval yesterday lifted them to 10 points from six matches, keeping them second behind unbeaten Kenya on 12. But with hosts Rwanda also still in contention on eight points, Uganda cannot afford to ease off with the tournament entering its decisive phase.
The Cricket Cranes meet Rwanda on Thursday morning before completing their round-robin campaign against Kenya tomorrow morning. Only the top two teams qualify for Saturday’s final.
Breathing room
The victory over Botswana gave Uganda valuable breathing room after their first defeat of the competition against Kenya. It also strengthened a campaign that began with victories over Sierra Leone, Botswana and Rwanda before the Migingo Derby loss.
Uganda’s position is further strengthened by their impressive +3.761 net run rate, which is comfortably ahead of Rwanda’s +1.233. That margin could become important if teams finish level on points.
For now, however, the Cranes will be more concerned with collecting the points needed to avoid leaving their qualification hopes to permutations.
Early strikes, late resistance
Captain Riazat Ali Shah finally won the toss yesterday and had little hesitation in sending Botswana in on a surface that offered an unpredictable challenge. Slow Left-Arm Orthodox Matthew Musinguzi justified the decision immediately, removing Monroux Kasselman with the first legal delivery.
The early wickets continued to fall, with Uganda claiming three inside the powerplay before Joseph Baguma removed Botswana’s dangerous Vinoo Balakrishnan for 36 in the 11th over.
The Zebras looked destined for a modest total until Abel Botlhe Keganne dug in. The 20-year-old produced Botswana’s most substantial innings, making 42 from 47 balls, with four fours and a six. Katlo Piet added an unbeaten 20 from 17 balls to help Botswana reach 119 for eight.
Baguma and Cosmas Kyewuta took three wickets each, giving Uganda a platform from which to chase.
Musemeza keeps rolling
Uganda’s chase was considerably faster, although not completely comfortable. Robinson Obuya struck 32 from 22 balls before Charles Musemeza continued his impressive tournament with 39 from 25 deliveries.
Musemeza’s three sixes and three fours pushed Uganda towards the target, while Gerald Olipa supplied another burst of power with 19 from eight balls. Botswana’s Piet made Uganda work for the victory, taking four wickets, but the target had already been brought within reach.
Riazat, unbeaten on 17, and Kenneth Waiswa, unbeaten on 13, then guided Uganda home at 125 for five after only 15 overs. The 30 balls remaining underlined Uganda’s batting efficiency despite the five wickets lost.
Rwanda first, Kenya next
The immediate challenge is Rwanda, who enter the fixture after beating Sierra Leone by six wickets on Wednesday. That result lifted the hosts to eight points from seven matches and kept them firmly in the qualification conversation. Uganda therefore cannot afford to treat the meeting as another routine league fixture.
After Rwanda comes the final round-robin test against Kenya, who have won all six of their matches and already occupy the top position with 12 points. The Cranes therefore face a demanding finish: a host nation fighting to stay alive in the race, followed by the tournament’s only unbeaten side.
Uganda’s 10 points give them an advantage in the table, but the final two fixtures will determine whether that advantage translates into a place in Saturday’s final.
ILT20 CONTINENT CUP – POINTS TABLE
Team M W L Pts NRR
Kenya 6 6 0 12 +3.477
Uganda 6 5 1 10 +3.761
Rwanda 7 4 3 8 +1.233
Botswana 6 1 5 2 -2.614
Sierra Leone 7 0 7 0 -5.020