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Match Summary:
- Tanzania U-19: 189/10 in 41.1 overs
- Uganda U-19: 190/2 in 28 overs
- Uganda U-19 won by 8 wickets
Olipa Gerald and Christopher Kidega guided Uganda U-19 to a commanding 8-wicket victory over Tanzania U-19 in the Easter Youth 50-Overs Series, delivering stellar half-centuries that helped their team bounce back in style after a narrow 3-wicket loss in the previous match.
Tanzania’s Innings: A Strong Start, but Uganda Strikes Back
Winning the toss, Tanzania U-19 opted to bat, looking to build on their previous victory. Captain Dylan Manish Thakar led from the front with a well-crafted 73 off 77 balls, forming a 43-run opening stand with Acrey Pascal Hugo and later adding a 45-run partnership to keep Tanzania in control.
By the 25-over mark, Tanzania was 121/3 and seemed set for a big total. However, Uganda’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback. Musa Majid delivered a crucial spell, including a double strike in the 39th over, helping restrict Tanzania to 189 all out in 41.1 overs.
Tanzania’s Hamza Ally Onai (26) and Ally Hafidh Ally (22) chipped in with useful contributions, but 16 extras and missed fielding opportunities by Uganda kept their total respectable.
Uganda’s Response: A Dominant Batting Display
Uganda’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing Devansh Patel to an LBW decision in just the second over. At the end of the first powerplay, Uganda stood at 49/2 after 10 overs, with a brief rain delay adding further suspense.
However, Olipa and Kidega took charge, forging a remarkable unbeaten 150-run partnership that sealed Uganda’s victory.
- Olipa Gerald (94)* played a masterful knock, anchoring the innings with powerful yet controlled stroke play.
- Christopher Kidega (79)* provided solid support, complementing Olipa’s aggression with calculated batting.
Uganda comfortably reached the target in just 28 overs, with Olipa’s all-round performance earning him the Player of the Match award.
Post-Match Reflections & What’s Next
Tanzania’s head coach, Imran Nackerdien, admitted that his side fell short by about 70 runs, citing fielding lapses as a critical factor in the loss. Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic about his team’s ability to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
For Uganda, this win was a crucial morale booster, addressing some of the fielding concerns that had plagued them in the previous game.
With a rest day tomorrow, the series will resume on Wednesday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, where both teams will look to gain the upper hand in the competition.
