KICC’s fairytale run ended in a manner they hoped they didn’t deserve. Having dispatched Nile by 55 runs in the semifinal, KICC were beaten by seven wickets to give Challengers the National Twenty20 League crown.
The defeat was so costly that it left KICC captain Hanumant Katkar disappointed. “There is always one winner on a day but it wasn’t us,” he said. “As captain, I will not point fingers at anyone but take all blame for the defeat.”
KICC was bidding to become the first Division II side to take this title. Katkar’s hired pair of Kenyans in Alex Obanda and Morris Ouma made a combined 41 runs and Suleman Sharif’s four maximums in a 25-ball 40 as KICC set a competitive 143-9 score.
Their innings were dogged by a downpour, forcing umpires to reduce Challengers’ chase to 54 from six overs after Duckworth & Lewis calculation.
Challengers’ Arthur Kyobe made 10 off 8 and together with Arnold Otwan (20 off 9), they took 15 runs off Irfan Afridi’s over. With an over to spare, Mohammed Aneef (18* off 6) completed the chase in stellar fashion with two consecutive sixes off Daniel Ruyange (2/26), sending his teammates into overwhelming ecstasy.
“I thought we didn’t rotate the bowling quite well and the outfield was a bit soggy for the fielders. I think we’d have triumphed if there was no rain.” Katkar added.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
Best Wicket-keeper Sharma Mukaya (Charity TF) – 12 dismissals
Best Bowler John Mpande (Tornado B) – 15 wickets
Best Batsman Arthur Kyobe (Challengers) – 365 runs
Player of Series Frank Nsubuga (Tornado) – 20 wickets