The Bronze Division was never supposed to attract this much attention. Yet with one round left before the playoffs, UKA Japan Motors-backed Pak Shaheens have become one of the stories of the season, preserving their unbeaten record with a clinical four-wicket victory over fellow contenders Chennai CC at Florida Oval in Njeru on May 31.
Chasing 194, the Shaheens looked to be losing altitude after slipping to 82 for five. But captain Mohammed Raheel Sarwar and opener Sunil Kumar refused to panic.
Raheel struck a composed 35 while Kumar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 94 as the pair rebuilt through a decisive 62-run partnership before Simon Okecho (15*) calmly guided the chase home.
“We were under a lot of pressure after collapsing early,” Raheel said.
“I am happy I took responsibility alongside Sunil. But the job is not over. We have to finish it on Sunday (June 7) against Iganga and maintain our unbeaten run.”
All-round display
Earlier, Pak Shaheens’ disciplined attack restricted Chennai to 193, with Abdul Basit Habib taking three wickets while Raheel and Akbar Ahmad claimed two apiece.
The victory leaves the Shaheens top of Bronze Division Group B with an unbeaten record and promotion firmly within reach.
A win over lowly Iganga this Sunday would not only preserve their perfect season but also set up a semifinal against Group A runners-up Tornado. Anything less would hand them a meeting with Centurion A.
More importantly, Pak Shaheens are proving that the lower divisions are no longer a home for ordinary cricket. Many of the league’s emerging talents now feature in ambitious new clubs eager to climb the pyramid.
For the Shaheens, promotion remains the objective. Doing it without losing a single game would make the flight even sweeter.
Gold staying pure
Elsewhere, weather continued to play its part across the league, with the Gold Division clashes between Ceylon Lions and Mukono Warriors at Lugogo, and Rounders against JACC, both abandoned because of unplayable conditions.
Tornado Bees, however, returned to winning ways with a crushing 60-run victory over Aboojo after defending a modest 105 in Entebbe, bowling their opponents out for just 45.
In the Silver Division, Soroti City piled up 324 before hammering St. John’s SS Mukono by 148 runs on May 29, while Avengers collected maximum points after their fixture against Nile was decided by forfeit on May 30.
CU MEN’S 50-OVER LEAGUE 2026
Matchday 14 – Results
Gold Division
Ceylon Lions vs. Mukono Warriors
Match Abandoned
Tornado Bees 105/10 | Aboojo CC 45/10
Tornado won by 60 runs
Rounders vs. JACC
Match Abandoned
Silver Division
Soroti City 324/10 | St John’s SS 176/10
Soroti won by 148 runs
Avengers vs. Nile
Avengers win by forfeit
Bronze Division
Chennai CC 193/10 | Pak Shaheens CC 194/6
Pak Shaheens won by 4 wickets
THE UTILITY
Unbeaten Flight. Bronze Division cricket is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for some of Uganda’s strongest club sides. Pak Shaheens have combined experienced players, smart recruitment and fearless cricket to challenge the old assumption that quality exists only in the upper tiers.
KEY NUMBERS
94 – Runs by Sunil Kumar*
62 – Partnership between Kumar and Raheel
35 – Runs by captain Mohammed Raheel Sarwar
3 – Wickets by Abdul Basit Habib
4 – Consecutive unbeaten matches
1 – Win needed to complete the regular season unbeaten