ICC Challenge League B Second Round | Match Summary
- Uganda 249/9 in 50 Overs
- Bahrain 197 all out in 44.1 Overs
- Uganda won by 52 runs
Uganda’s Cricket Cranes got off the mark in their first game of the second round of the ICC CWC Challenge League B tournament in Hong Kong.
The Cricket Cranes defeated Bahrain by 52 runs in a nervy game played at Tin Kwong Recreational Ground.
Cricket Cranes were asked to bat first by Bahrain. Despite losing Shrideep Mangela early, Robinson Obuya (42) and Raghav Dhawan (85) steadied the ship until a miscommunication led to the departure of the former.
Kenneth Waiswa came and left after another mix-up with Dhawan, but a 107-run partnership between Dhawan and captain Riazat Ali Shah (49) anchored the rest of the innings for Uganda.
The Cricket Cranes eventually finished on 249/9 in their 50 overs which was a decent total on a wicket that had something for the seamers and in overcast conditions.
In the run chase, Juma Miyagi struck early with three quick wickets to reduce Bahrain to 21/3, but a 114-run stand between Asif Ali (83) and Sohail Ahmed (43) put the markers on Uganda.
Bahrain looked in charge of the run chase until Asif Ali failed to connect well with a short ball from Cosmas Kyewuta and Alpesh Ramjani completed the catch to dismiss the set batter. The wicket triggered a collapse from Bahrain, who lost their next six wickets for only 62 runs as Uganda claimed a nervous win.
Juma Miyagi (4/53) was the pick of the bowlers with backup from Cosmas Kyewuta (2/26) and Bilal Hassun (2/42).
Uganda decided to play all their fast bowlers in this opening game, which meant there was no place in the side for the slow left-arm spin of Henry Ssenyondo. Unfortunately, Mangela was stretched off after falling awkwardly in an attempt to complete a half-chance, but he should be fine for the next game on Monday when Uganda takes on Singapore.
Uganda remains at the top of the table, still two points ahead of its close rivals Italy and Hong Kong, who are in second and third, respectively.
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