Wanderers secured eight and three wicket wins over SKLPS and Kutchi Tigers to seal second position in Group B of the National Twenty20 League on Sunday.
Boosted by the return of Davis Karashani, they limited SKPLS to 87-8 Shajesh Halai (14) and Dipak Limbani (13) reaching double figures at the university oval in Kyambogo.
Having taken a break from club engagements since the tournament start, Karashani had an emphatic comeback with figures of 4/13, to take man-of-match honour while teammate Hamu Kayondo picked 3/10.
“We were comfortable in both games,” Karashani said. “He (Karashani) needed a break to freshen up,” his captain Dennis Musali said. “So we are not surprised since he looks so fresh.”
The 25-year-old national team skipper scored unbeaten 28 runs while Arnold Otwani added 43 not out as Wanderers chased to finish on 88-2.
Karashani also sliced through Kutchi Tigers’ batting order with 2/3 while Timothy Bbuye got 3/15 hence setting 65 all out in 13.2 overs in the afternoon game at Lugogo.
Wanderers’ chase was backed by Timothy Kayigwa’s 18 runs off 38 and Hamza Saleh’s 15 runs off 19.
They finished the preliminary round with 40 points, five points above Charity Trust Fund who had earlier suffered a four-wicket loss to Tigers in the morning.
Charity skipper Jonathan Ssebanja had stroked 24 runs and picked 2/16 but it did not save the team from a second loss.
Man-of-match Jitesh Gorashia’s knock of 56 runs and Lalji Gondaria’s unbeaten 14 runs helped Tigers chase Charity’s 92-7 in 19.1 overs amidst Ivan Thawithemwira’s 2/16.
In Group A, Tornado B consolidated second spot after a 96-run victory over JICC courtesy Roger Mukasa’s purple patch.
He stroked 66 off 59 balls (including seven fours and a six) as he put up a third-wicket stand of 145 runs with Fred Isabirye’s unbeaten 75 off 51 (nine fours one six) enroute setting 179-2.
Mukasa’s 2/11 as well as Charles Waiswa’s 2/2 and John Mpande 2/12 restricted JICC to 83-7.
NATIONAL T20 LEAGUE RESULTS
Group A
ACC 155/4 JACC 73/7
Tornado B 179/2 JICC 83/7
Group B
SKLPS 87/8 Wanderers 88/2
Charity TF 92/7 Kutchi Tigers 93/6
Kutchi Tigers 65/10 Wanderers 66/7