By 
The Cricket Cranes of Uganda have captivated their home fans with a dominant display in the first round of the ICC Challenge League B tournament, held in Uganda at Lugogo and Entebbe.
Placed in Group B alongside Italy, Bahrain, Singapore, Tanzania, and Hong Kong-China, Uganda emerged as the only unbeaten team after the first round of the tournament, showcasing their potential as serious contenders on the road to the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
Uganda’s unbeaten run began emphatically at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, where they made light work of Singapore in their opening match.
After losing the toss and asked to bowl first, Uganda’s bowlers, led by the exceptional Dinesh Kumar Nakrani, bundled out Singapore for a paltry 82 runs in 38.4 overs.
Nakrani’s six-wicket haul was the highlight, leaving Singapore with no room to settle.
In response, Uganda comfortably chased down the target, winning by seven wickets to set the tone for their campaign.
The Cricket Cranes carried their momentum into the second match, where they faced East African brothers Tanzania at Lugogo.
Uganda’s batsmen put up a brilliant display, amassing 299/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
The bowlers followed suit, dismissing Tanzania for just 90 runs, securing an emphatic 209-run victory.
This win not only boosted Uganda’s net run rate but also underscored their all-round capabilities.
The Cranes’ third match against Hong Kong-China, held at Lugogo, was marred by rain.
After posting a solid total of 291/9, Uganda seemed poised for another victory.
However, with Hong Kong at 72/3 in 15.2 overs, a heavy downpour forced the match to be abandoned.
Fans speculated whether Uganda could have clinched a win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method had they employed spin bowling to expedite the completion of 20 overs.
Despite the rain interruption, the result worked in Uganda’s favor as Italy also had to share points due to a wet outfield in their next match.
One of Uganda’s most significant victories came against Italy, who were seen as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
Playing at Entebbe Cricket Oval, Uganda elected to bat first and posted a challenging total of 254/9 in their 50 overs.
With Italy coming off a formidable performance against Hong Kong, where they had scored 342/4, Uganda knew they had a tough task ahead.
Italy’s run chase started strong with an opening partnership of 115 runs between Emilio Nico Gay and Joseph Anthony Burns, which kept the home crowd on the edge of their seats.
Home fans showing support to team Uganda during the Italy match at Entebbe cricket Oval
However, left-arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo turned the game around with a crucial caught-and-bowled dismissal of Emilio.
Henry Ssenyondo after being named the player of match in the Italy game
Ssenyondo’s four-wicket spell, combined with Alpesh Ramjani’s five-wicket haul, decimated Italy’s lower order, sealing a thrilling 24-run victory for Uganda.
Uganda capped off their impressive first-round campaign with a commanding win over Bahrain.
Batting first, Uganda posted a formidable total and bowled Bahrain out to secure a 166-run victory, finishing the first round at the top of the table with nine points from five matches.
Italy and Hong Kong trailed behind, tied on seven points, with Italy taking second place due to a superior net run rate.
Uganda’s captain, Riazat Ali Shah, has been in outstanding form throughout the tournament.
He finished as the leading run-scorer of the first round with 276 runs from five innings, including a century and two half-centuries.
Riazat Ali Sha after smashing a century at Lugogo
Henry Ssenyondo emerged as the top bowler for Uganda, claiming 11 wickets.
The recent additions of Shrideep Mangela and Raghav Dhawan to the squad have also proven fruitful, as both players are beginning to find their footing within the team.
“We set out with the goal to top the table by the end of the first round, and I’m proud we achieved it,”
captain Riazat Ali Shah said in a post-match interview
“We’re keeping our heads held high as we prepare for the second round “
As Uganda heads into the second round of Challenge League B, expected to be in Hong Kong-China early next year, they will be focused on maintaining their unbeaten streak and solidifying their path to the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
With momentum on their side and a well-rounded team performance, the Cricket Cranes are poised to continue their impressive journey, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see them on the world stage.
Photo Credits; UCA Media
