Match Summary
Saudi Cricket 126/10 in 40.1 overs (Sajid Imran Cheema 32(61), Abu Huraira 23(25), Bilal Hassun 4/38 in 9.2 overs, Henry Ssenyondo 3/26 in 10 overs) beat Uganda Select 114/10 in 45.2 overs (Brian Masaba 33(77), Roger Mukasa 18(33), Muhammad Afzal 3/19 in 10 overs, Imran Arif 2/24 in 10 overs, Abu Huraira 1/30 in 10 overs)
Muhammad Afzal led superbly with the ball and set very attacking fields that helped his Saudi Arabia side edge the Cricket Cranes by 12 runs.
In the second game of the Bilateral Series, the visitors took on a strong Cricket Cranes led by Roger Mukasa in a 50 over game played at the University Oval in Kyambogo.
Roger won the toss and put in the visitors to bat. Cricket Cranes Bilal Hassan extracted extra bounce out of the Kyambogo sending down a plateful of bouncers that had the Saudi Arabia batting scared.
The visitors lost wickets in intervals without any serious partnerships and only Sajid Imran (32) and Abu Haraira (22) managed double figures.
The visitors set a modest 126 all in 40 overs with Bilal Hassan (4/28) and Henry Ssenyondo (3/26) with the best bowling figures but the cricket cranes.
In the Chase the opening pair of Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi had a 37 run partnership before the latter carelessly gave out his wicket when he was stumped.
The fall of the first wicket led to a batting collapse from the Cricket Cranes with Saudi Arabia captain Muhammad Afzal seizing the initiative by setting attacking fields to keep the pressure on the fragile Cricket Cranes middle order and tail.
There were 14 runs needed with only one wicket in hand for the Cricket Cranes, but Usman Ali had ended hopes of the Ugandans getting over the line when he bowled a gem of a delivery that spun around Brian Masaba and got him bowled.
The last wicket sparked celebrations among the Saudi Arabia players who never gave up in the defence of their small total. The discipline of their bowlers and attacking field set is something Mukasa will need to take note for future reference.
The Cricket Cranes will have little time to reflect on the loss as they play the visitors in the third game of the series tomorrow.