David GOMBE
ICC CWC CHALLENGE LEAGUE B
Results – December 9
Uganda 218/10 Italy 180
Uganda won by 38 runs
Uganda Cricket Cranes continued with their impressive run at the World Cup Challenge League Group B with a 38 run win over Italy on Monday at Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat, Muscat.
Cricket Cranes without their skipper Brian Masaba who was out with a fever and his vice Arnold Otwani filled his void as the team cruised to their fourth consecutive win as they aim to claim top spot of the Group after the first round.
At the toss, Captain of the day Otwani called wrong and Cricket Cranes were asked to bat by the Italians.
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Roger Mukasa and his opening partner Otwani both failed to put on an incredible score and it was to Shahzad Kamal (78) and Ronak Patel (53) to stabilize the ship.
However, the second wicket partnership managed 120 runs as both batsmen followed by their half centuries from the victory against Bermuda.
Shahzad’s departure at 163/3 slowed things down and the remaining seven wickets only accorded to 55 runs.
Cricket Cranes prevailed on 218 all out despite the late collapse and for the first in the event the Steve Tikolo coached side were bowled out.
In the chase, Uganda got rid of Nikolai Smith to keep the Italians at bay but his opening partner Gian Meade (43) took on the responsibility of attacker as they tried to chase down the total.
There were some moments of agitate when the Italians seemed to have entrenched but man of the match Bilal Hassun’s 5/27 inspired the Cricket Cranes to another win.
Victory means that Tikolo’s troops will finish among the top two sides at the competition. They will next face off with Hong Kong on Wednesday 11th December in their final game of the tournament.
On the same day Bermuda will lock horns with Jersey.
