Uganda keeps T20 dream alive

By Charles Mutebi

ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

Oman 128/8 Uganda 132/7

(Uganda win by 3 wickets with 5 balls remaining)

Namibia 192/3 Scotland 143/8

(Namibia win by 49 runs)

Kenya 71 Ireland 72/0

(Ireland win by 10 wickets)

Italy 137/6 USA 129/8

(Italy win 8 runs)

Today, 1pm

Uganda v Scotland

UGANDA may be two games into ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE but it is safe to conclude the national men’s cricket side are not about to divorce their affection for close victories.

For now it is not clear whether that points to a mentally stoic Uganda team or one that struggles to kill off opponents. Whatever the case, Uganda’s encounter with Scotland today in Dubai will provide some answers.

Yesterday’s matchup with Oman produced Uganda’s second victory in two games and kept them third in Group B but there was a grain of concern in the nail-biting manner in which this contest was put to bed.

Roger Mukasa scored a team-best 45 runs off 45 balls, Arthur Ziraba made 26 and Frank Nsubuga added a crucial 21 off 10 balls as Uganda saw off Oman with three wickets and five balls to spare. Captain Davis Arinaitwe and Jonathan Sebanja led Uganda’s attack with 3-21 and 2-20 as Oman raced to a serious 128/8 in 20 overs.

Uganda’s response needed a solid start and it came from the third-wicket partnership of Mukasa and Ziraba, which delivered 50 runs. But the finish would not come without the usual nerves customary with Ugandan triumphs.

Against a Scotland side that was humbled by Namibia by 49 runs yesterday, Uganda’s performance will need to be more complete.