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Match Results:
Morning: Wanderers 137/6 beat Ceylon Lions 136/8 by 4 wickets
Afternoon: Rounders 93/4 beat Tornado 87 all out by 6 wickets
FINAL: Wanderers v Rounders – 29/09/2024 Entebbe Cricket Oval
With the exit of Aziz Damani Cricket Club, many cricket enthusiasts speculated that this might be the season for the Ceylon Lions to claim the spotlight.
Yet, their hopes of silverware were dashed once again after an early exit from the 50-over league and now, a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals of the Men’s UG20 Cup to the ever-resilient Wanderers Cricket Club at Lugogo Cricket Oval yesterday.
In what was a nail-biting contest, Wanderers triumphed over the Lions by four wickets in the first semifinal.
The Lions, who won the toss and chose to bat, appeared to be on track for a solid total.
Charles Musemeza’s gritty 51 anchored the innings, but his teammates couldn’t sustain the momentum.
From a promising 93/3 in the 15th over, a sudden collapse saw them limp to 136/8 by the close of their 20 overs, a target that felt well below par given their earlier dominance.
The much-anticipated impact of Kenyan international Collins Obuya, a last-minute addition to the Lions squad, didn’t materialize as he struggled to 15 off 19 balls, unable to find his rhythm on the day.
Wanderers, facing what should have been a competitive total, approached the chase with determination.
Wasim Butt (24) capitalized on an early drop to set the tone, while Amaan Singh (35) and Abu Seguya (31) held their nerve in the middle order, steering Wanderers home with 13 balls to spare.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, their batting depth ensured the result, leaving the Lions frustrated once more.
In an interesting twist, Wanderers didn’t rely on their full complement of stars.
Their three Rwandan internationals—Emile Rukiriza, Martin Akayezu, and Didier Ndikubwimana—were conspicuously absent from the lineup, as was Suleman Sharif, the hero of their quarterfinal win over Kutchi Tigers.
However the addition of veteran all-rounder Frank Nsubuga and Simon Ssesazi who both featured for Uganda in the recently concluded T20 World Cup provided the experience needed to guide Wanderers to victory.
The second semifinal was a far less competitive affair, as Rounders Cricket Club demolished Tornado in a dominant performance.
Tornado’s innings never got going, with a combination of disciplined bowling and sustained dot-ball pressure leading to a meager total of 87 all out.
David Mwesigwa (3/15) and Brian Masaba (3/18) former T20 captain for Uganda, making his debut yesterday for Rounders, were the chief architects of Tornado’s downfall.
Despite losing early wickets in their chase, Rounders showed composure.
Pius Oloka (18) and Narinder Singh (35) combined in a vital partnership that took Rounders to a comfortable six-wicket win, booking their place in the final with minimal fuss.
Both finalists have taken distinctly different paths to the championship game.
Wanderers battled through tough encounters, first knocking out Division 1 league champions Kutchi Tigers in the quarterfinals before edging past Ceylon Lions in the semis.
Rounders, on the other hand, survived a close quarterfinal clash against Nyakasura before cruising past Tornado in the semifinals.
The stage is now set for an exciting final on the weekend of September 29th in Entebbe, where Wanderers and Rounders will lock horns for the coveted Men’s UGT20 trophy.
With both teams brimming with talent and momentum, fans can expect a fitting climax to an unforgettable tournament.
