False start for Uganda at T20 Qualifier

By Charles Mutebi

ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

Uganda 88/8 UAE 89/2

(UAE win by eight wickets)

NO team at the ICC T20 World Qualifier is more comfortable in the gruelling desert conditions of the UAE like, well, the UAE.  

That is why they came into this tournament with a fearsome home record in the World Cricket League championship of six wins from eight games. It was, therefore, not surprising when on Friday they opened their account at the ICC T20 World Qualifier at Uganda’s expense.  

UAE’s victory was comprehensive too. By eight wickets, with 34 balls to spare.  

Skipper Davis Karashani and Philemon Mukobe were the top scorers for a Uganda side that not only scored low but slow, posting 88/8 in 20 overs. Karashani and Mukobe scored 22 runs apiece to put up some brief middle-order resistance after Uganda’s top-order collapsed. Of Uganda’s first five batsmen, only opener Roger Mukasa reached double digits, with 11. Bowler Jonathan Sebanja also made 11.  

Inevitably, UAE’s response was swift and decisive, with the opening pair of Shaiman Anwar (57 runs) Mohammed Azam (17) delivering the coup de grace. Brian Masaba claimed the two UAE wickets for 15 runs.