Uganda roll out of blocks with victory, set sights on Italy next

ICC World Challenge League 

Result 

Uganda 142/8 Tanzania 71/10 

(Uganda win by 90 runs DL) 

Today, University of Dar es Salaam 

Uganda v Italy

As expected, the Cricket Cranes made light work of Tanzania in the opener of the ICC World Challenge League B on Saturday.

Though a Ugandan victory was always the likely outcome, it was crucial for purposes of momentum for Riazat Shah and his men to hit the ground running.

With a contest against Italy, who are merely two points behind the Cricket Cranes in the standings, up next tomorrow, who knows whether the scales will be tipped by Uganda’s current state of mind, which is that of a team in good form, as the 90-run victory over Tanzania succinctly illustrated.

Henry Ssenyondo and Joseph Baguma combined for six wickets as Uganda, who set 142/8 (adjusted to 162 following a rain interruption) dismantled the Tanzanian attack, which was all out for 71 in 17.4 of the reduced 20 overs.

Uganda’s scoring was led by Raghav Dhawan with 43 off 30 balls and Simon Ssesazi with 35 off 40. Dangerman Sumeet Verma added 18 for Uganda, who will expect the toughest test from Italy.

The Italians got their campaign underway with a 68-run win over Bahrain yesterday and will go top of the standings if they end Uganda’s unbeaten record in the competition.

Still, both teams need two more wins apiece to advance to the Cricket World Cup qualifier playoff.