What you need to know:
- Uganda began their campaign with an 87-run victory over Zambia, but Gerald Olipa’s 82 did much of the heavy lifting after an uneasy start with the bat. The Cricket Cranes now face Lesotho today knowing that, despite bowling out their opponents for 108, they must tighten their discipline and find more firepower at both ends of the innings.
Uganda got their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign off to a winning start on Tuesday, but their 87-run victory over Zambia came with enough warning signs to keep head coach Steve Tikolo busy ahead of today’s meeting with Lesotho.
The Cricket Cranes posted 195 for six at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja before bowling Zambia out for 108 in 17.3 overs. It was a comfortable result on paper, but Uganda needed Gerald Olipa’s timely intervention to recover from a sluggish start after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Robinson Obuya fell for one in the opening over, while Raghav Dhawan made 23 before being caught at short fine leg. Captain Riazat Ali Shah struck a brisk 38 off 20 balls, including five fours and a six, but edged Robert Lungu to point.
Sumeet Verma added 21 off 20 deliveries before falling to a poor shot, leaving Uganda needing a substantial contribution from the middle and lower order.
Olipa turns the tide
Olipa, however, offered the innings its defining contribution. The right-hander was dropped on 55 after striking five fours and five sixes, and Uganda needed him to make Zambia pay for the reprieve.
He duly accelerated, reaching 82 off 42 balls with five fours and seven sixes before Ismail Kara yorked him. His innings, scored at a strike rate of 195.23, provided the backbone of Uganda’s total.
Alpesh Ramjani struggled for fluency, making 10 off 14 balls before falling leg-before to Kara. Uganda still needed a late push, and Juma Miyaji supplied it with an unbeaten 11 off just three deliveries. Kenneth Waiswa was unbeaten on three as Uganda finished on 195 for six.
The total was imposing, but the early losses and limited contribution from the lower order beyond Miyaji’s cameo will concern Uganda against stronger opposition.
Baguma strikes, but wides hurt
Zambia’s chase never gathered sustained momentum. Miyaji, celebrating his 50th T20 International appearance, struck early and finished with an economical three for 17 from three overs. Baguma then claimed four wickets, while Ramjani took two and Enock Kasaija one as Zambia were dismissed for 108.
Baguma’s figures of four for 44, however, came at an economy rate of 11 runs per over. Ramjani was more economical with two for 13 from four overs, while Kasaija returned one for 16 in 3.3 overs.
Zambia’s best resistance came from Joyeb Chand, who scored 38 off 28 balls, and Jakir Patel, who made 23 off 23. The returning side, playing ICC cricket for the first time in eight years, also benefited from 13 wides.
Despite their modest total, Zambia struck six fours and seven sixes, collecting 66 runs in boundaries. Uganda will want to reduce those opportunities and improve their discipline as the competition progresses.
Lesotho next
Uganda, ranked 21st in the world, were still comfortably better than the side ranked 62nd in the world, but today’s match against Lesotho presents an opportunity to sharpen their performance.
The Cricket Cranes must protect their top order, improve their finishing and bowl with greater control, particularly by cutting down on extras. With the top two teams advancing to the Africa Regional Final, Uganda cannot afford to let a comfortable opening win disguise areas that need attention.
They face Lesotho at 11:30am EAT at NCF Oval 2, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, seeking a second win and a cleaner performance.
THE TALKING POINT
Room To Improve. A winning margin of 87 runs is an encouraging start, but Uganda will know the scoreline does not tell the full story. Olipa’s 82 rescued an innings that lost four wickets for 125, while Joseph Baguma’s four wickets came at a cost of 44 runs and Zambia benefited from 13 wides. Lesotho offer Uganda an immediate chance to clean up those loose ends before tougher tests later in the qualifier.