Dhawan shines as Cricket Cranes maintain grip on top spot

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Cricket World Cup Challenge League B

Singapore 243/9 Uganda 245/2 (Uganda win by eight wickets)

Uganda 249/9 Bahrain 197 (Uganda win by 52 runs)

Tuesday: Uganda v Italy

Thursday: Hong Kong v Uganda

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Raghav Dhawan has never been so good for Uganda. Well, if you don’t mind a sample space of seven one-day games, that is.

Dhawan made it back-to-back player-of-the-match performances at the second leg of the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, scoring a match-best 71 to lead the Cricket Cranes to an eight-wicket win over Singapore earlier today.

Dhawan opened his account at the tournament with 85 off 105 as the Cricket Cranes defeated Bahrain by 52 runs last week, before confirming with today’s display a rich vein of form that could prove the bedrock of Uganda’s success in Hong Kong.

Against Singapore, Dhawan’s performance was the highlight of a collective display characterised by a strong showing from Uganda’s oft-criticised top order. 

Cricket Cranes celebrate a wicket during the game. (Courtesy Photo)

Openers Robinson Obuya (25) and Shrideep Mangela (48) combined for an opening stand of 71 runs before Dhawan and Alpesh Ramjani sealed Uganda’s chase with an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 121 runs.

Uganda made easy work of what appeared a relatively tasking total, making up for what seemed an unusually poor bowling offensive by Riazat Shah’s men.

Raghav Dhawan deservedly got the man-of-the-match award. Courtesy Photo

Henry Ssenyondo took 4/36 in nine overs, while Cosmas Kyewuta and Kenneth Waiswa combined for three wickets.

Singapore were led by Aman Desai and Ishan Swaney with 66 and 64 runs respectively. Uganda are top of the log with 13 points from seven games. Italy and Hong Kong are second and third respectively, with 11 points.