By 
Following his exceptional performance with the bat, Raghav Dhawan was named Player of the Tournament in the second round of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, held in Hong Kong China.
His stunning displays not only earned him the prestigious MVP award but also silenced many of his critics, who had questioned his ability after a challenging first round in Uganda.
Dhawan had entered the tournament in Hong Kong under considerable pressure, having managed only 85 runs from four innings in the first round.
This underwhelming performance led to doubts about his future in the team, with many questioning his place in the top order.
Adding to the challenge, he traveled to Hong Kong with a foot injury, which he was able to recover from during the tour.
However, he quickly proved his critics wrong with a series of dominant batting performances.
The top-order batter showcased incredible consistency, scoring a half-century in each of his four innings, amassing a total of 271 runs.
His match-winning contributions included:
85 off 105 balls against Bahrain, guiding Uganda to a 52-run victory
71* off 66 balls against Singapore, leading Uganda to an 8-wicket win
52 off 77 balls against Hong Kong-China, stabilizing the innings in a 76-run win
63 off 102 balls against Tanzania, securing a 59-run victory
Dhawan’s outstanding performances earned him two Player of the Match awards and the coveted MVP accolade, presented by Tournament Referee Wendell Labrooy.
In less than a year with Uganda, Dhawan has accumulated 354 List A runs from just 8 innings, with a highest score of 85, cementing his place as one of the team’s key players.
However, some fans remain cautious, unsure whether Dhawan can sustain such consistency in future tournaments.
The Uganda Cricket Association deserves recognition for their foresight in taking the team to Hong Kong early, allowing them to participate in a Tri-Nations warm-up series against Hong Kong and Bahrain.
This initiative not only helped players acclimatize to the colder conditions in China but also provided valuable preparation ahead of the main tournament.
The Cricket Cranes returned to Kampala yesterday, where they will take a short break before shifting focus to the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
With two crucial tournaments on the horizon—Bat Ball Max and the third edition of the IL T20 Continental Cup—Dhawan and the team will continue to prepare for their next challenge on the global stage
