By 
Kenneth Waiswa produced a four-wicket masterclass as Uganda’s Cricket Cranes defeated Lesotho by five wickets to maintain their perfect start to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja, Nigeria.
Uganda restricted Lesotho to just 87 all out in 19.3 overs before chasing down the modest target with 45 balls to spare, reaching 89/5 in 12.3 overs at the NCF Oval 2 on Wednesday.
Lesotho won the toss and elected to bat but struggled to build meaningful partnerships against a disciplined Ugandan bowling attack.
Waiswa was the standout performer with the ball, returning impressive figures of 4/18 from his four overs as Uganda kept their opponents under pressure.
Enock Kasaija provided valuable support with 2/12 from 3.3 overs, while captain Riazat Ali Shah also chipped in as Lesotho were bowled out inside their allotted 20 overs.
Maaz Khan offered the strongest resistance for Lesotho with 38 off 32 deliveries, while Lerotholi Gabriel contributed 14 from 11 balls. The rest of the batting order struggled to make a significant impact as Uganda kept the scoring rate under control.
The Cricket Cranes’ chase, however, got off to the worst possible start when Robinson Obuya was trapped leg before wicket by Ts’episo Chaoana from the first delivery of the innings.
Raghav Dhawan followed for 10, but skipper Riazat Ali Shah responded aggressively with 26 off just 15 balls, striking three sixes and a boundary.
Gerald Olipa, fresh from his match-winning 82 against Zambia in Uganda’s opening game, maintained his good form with a quick 20 from 11 deliveries.
Lesotho briefly threatened to make the contest interesting as Chaoana claimed three wickets for only 13 runs from his four overs, while Uganda slipped to 64/5 after the dismissal of Waiswa.
Sumeet Verma and Alpesh Ramjani ensured there would be no further drama.
Verma remained unbeaten on 20 from 22 deliveries, while Ramjani added an unbeaten 11 as Uganda crossed the finishing line at 89/5 after 12.3 overs.
The victory was Uganda’s second in as many matches at the tournament following Tuesday’s emphatic 87-run triumph over Zambia.
Uganda had posted 195/6 against Zambia before dismissing their opponents for 108, with Olipa starring with a blistering 82 off 42 balls.
The Cricket Cranes are chasing one of the two available qualification places for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.
Six nations — Uganda, hosts Nigeria, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique and The Gambia — are competing in the single round-robin tournament, with only the top two progressing to the next stage of qualification for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Uganda will return to action on Friday, October 23, when they face The Gambia at NCF Oval 2 in Abuja.
