The Cricket Cranes shook off their disappointing display against Kenya on Saturday to secure an easy 8 wicket win against Rwanda on Sunday at the Continental Cup T20-Africa ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was Uganda’s third game at the tournament, and it was one that returned them to victory having lost to Kenya on Saturday.
Laurence Mahatlane made changes to the team that lost to the hosts, handing two players in Siraje Nsubuga and Robinson Obuya their national team debuts, and giving Pascal Murungi his first game at the tournament.
The three came in for Kenneth Waiswa, Bilal Hassun and the captain Brian Masaba, and they did not disappoint their manager. On their debuts, Nsubuga and Obuya were the team’s top performers, only edged by Henry Senyondo who won the Player of the Match.
Nsubuga picked up three wickets from the three Overs he bowled while Obuya scored 33 quick fire runs, the most by anyone on the day.
Obuya walked in to bat at No.3 after Simon Ssesazi had been caught by Rwanda’s pace bowler Ignace Ntirenganya. His partnership with Roger Mukasa (25 not out) produced a combined 50 runs.
Riazat Ali Shah was the other batter that batted for Uganda and he got 7 not out in what was a low scoring game. The all-rounder captained Uganda for the first time in a T20I game.
Senyondo claimed the same number of wickets as Nsubuga, but the 29-year-old won the Player of the Match accolade as he had the second highest bowling figures. Conceded 12 runs and had an economy of 3.00.
The player with the best figures was 42-year-old Frank Nsubuga who picked two wickets conceded 9 runs and had an economy of 2.25.
The win leaves Uganda second in the table standings. Kenya stayed top of the table after beating Botswana in similar fashion in the morning.
Action returns on Tuesday as the teams will take a rest day on Monday.
