Having played 4 back to back games in middle east heat took a toll on the players as the Cricket Cranes went down in the 4th game of the tour to Qatar.
In a game reduced to 45 overs, Captain Roger Mukasa won his 3rd toss of the tour and elected to field first.
The U19 opening bowling pair of Kenneth Waiswa and Trevor Bukenya shared the new ball in the place of Charles Waiswa and Bilal Hassan who were given a much needed rest.
Trevor Bukenya was making his debut for the senior side and also playing in his first game on the tour. It took him 3 overs to announce his introduction inducing an edge from M Khalid who was caught behind.
The Presidents XI is the only team that has inflicted defeat on the Cricket Cranes posted a modest 244/7 in their 45 overs with Henry Ssenyondo (2/57), Irfan Afridi (1/24), Trevor Bukenya (1/24) and Riaz Khan (1/40) sharing out the wickets.
In the chase, Uganda though scoring runs failed to have a meaningful partnership that could turn the match on its head and the side was 118/5 in 26 overs at a certain time.
However, Deus Muhumuza (62) and Kenneth Waiswa (45 not out) pushed the game to the end but with 17 runs needed off the final over Uganda only managed to get 5 of the required 17 falling short by 12 runs.
Uganda has played 4 games so far, managing to win 2 games and losing 2 games. Both of the Cricket Cranes losses have been to the Presidents XI.
The team had a day off today and they will take on the Qatar national team in a T20 tomorrow.