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Match Result
Uganda 229/3 in 20 overs
Botswana 121/7 in 20 overs
Uganda won by 108 runs
Simon Ssesazi rediscovered his scintillating form to help Uganda register the highest team score of the tournament—229 runs—against Botswana at the ILT20 Continental Cup.
The commanding performance not only showcased Uganda’s batting depth but also reaffirmed their intent as title contenders.
After Botswana won the toss and opted to bowl, their decision quickly backfired.
Uganda’s opening pair of Simon Ssesazi and Fred Achelam, batting together for the first time, laid a solid foundation.
The team reached an impressive 51 without loss by the end of the powerplay.
Achelam departed in the seventh over after a brisk 25 off 18 balls, including two towering sixes.
Ssesazi, however, was in imperious form, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 85 off 53 deliveries.
He was ably supported by Shrideep Mangela, who smashed a blistering 65 off just 34 balls.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah added fireworks at the death, hammering an unbeaten 35 off 15 deliveries to propel Uganda to an imposing 229/3 in their 20 overs.
Botswana’s bowlers struggled to contain Uganda’s relentless assault.
Raghavu Dawani, tasked with opening the bowling, conceded 26 runs in his two overs, while Vinoo Balakrishnan failed to provide the breakthroughs Botswana desperately needed.
In response, Botswana started solidly, scoring 38 runs in the first three overs.
But a shrewd bowling change by captain Riazat Ali Shah saw veteran Frank Nsubuga introduced in the fourth over, restricting Botswana to just four runs.
Alpesh Ramjan followed up with a crucial wicket of Balakrishnan, putting Uganda firmly in control.
Despite some resistance, Botswana’s chase faltered.
They were 76/4 at the halfway mark and managed only 121/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 108 runs.
Alpesh Ramjan and Joseph Baguma led Uganda’s bowling attack with two wickets each, while Frank Nsubuga’s economical spell tightened the screws on Botswana’s middle order.
In the other game of the day, Rwanda secured a memorable six-wicket victory over Nigeria, adding further intrigue to the tournament standings.
Uganda continues to dominate the ILT20 Continental Cup, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with an unbeaten record and 12 points from six games.
Nigeria is in second place with 4 points, while Botswana edges out Rwanda on net run rate, despite both teams being tied on points.
Rwanda remains at the bottom, still searching for consistency as the tournament progresses.
In the individual performances, Uganda’s Obuya Robinson leads the batting charts with an impressive 208 runs from five innings, showcasing his consistency at the crease.
On the bowling front, Henry Ssenyondo has been exceptional, claiming 15 wickets in six matches, making him the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
With a rest day tomorrow, Uganda will aim to regroup and maintain their winning momentum when action resumes on Wednesday as they edge closer to the title
