The cricket cranes finished fifth out of eight after a clash today against Hong Kong in the 5/6th play off final at the T20 world cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports club Bulawayo.
Hong Kong limited the Ugandans to only 102 runs for the fall of seven after electing to bowl first.
Coming into the second innings, the Hongkongers dared to chase the small target, but failed to close in on Uganda’s 102, despite threats posed by Zeeshan Ali. Zeeshan batted 26 runs off 39 balls before he was put to bay by Uganda’s Cosmas Kyewuta in the 19.4 over.
Uganda played without Brian Masaba who has been out for the whole tournament after he succumbed to an injury during the team’s last training. The team has been captained by Kenneth Waiswa all through.
“Defending our hundred was special from the boys. It took us courage and belief from the very first bowl.” Kenneth said after the match.
“The tournament didn’t go as we had planned but finishing fifth is also a good step for us. The boys have learnt a lot from playing Netherlands and they will be in a good shape for Jersey.” He said.
This is Uganda’s third win, and the second time they beat Hong Kong in the qualifier tournament, the latter having lost by two wickets in the first game of their group stage.
Simon Ssesazzi contributed 23 runs off 29 bowls but an LBW saw the opening batsman sent off towards the end of the 10th over.
Cranes’ Middle batsman Ronak Patel had to depart just after two bowls into the 11th over when the stumps got hit by Hong Kong’s Mohammad Ghazanfar after Ronak swung and missed the leather. Ronak had 22 runs off 34 balls prior to his send off.
Man of the match Juma Miyaji managed 10 runs off 13 balls making an average strike rate of 76.92 before his dismissal came through an LBW. The 19-year-old opening bowler also took down two wickets on Hong Kong in the second innings to bag the award.
Hosts Zimbabwe won the final by 37 runs against Netherlands to qualify for Round 1 of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Zimbabwe thereafter goes into Group B alongside Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies while the dutch-men join Namibia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates in Group A of the T20 world cup.
PNG beat USA by five runs to finish third and fourth respectively. Jersey finished seventh after beating Singapore by six wickets in the 7/8th final play off.
Uganda now shift focus to the upcoming Round three of the ICC Men’s cricket world cup challenge League B to be held in Jersey early next month (August) from the 4th to the 14th.
