- Tornado Bees 209/2 in 20 Overs
- Nile CC 126/6 in 16.1 Overs (revised target 167)
- Tornado Bees won by 40 runs (D/L)
What was originally slated as an action-packed double header at the Cricket Oval in Lugogo on Saturday was dramatically compressed into a single, intriguing battle. Yet, even without key figures Cosmas Kyewuta and Anas Baig, Tornado Bees rose to the occasion, defeating Nile CC by 40 runs via a revised DLS target after heavy afternoon rain interrupted play.
The Group C clash marked the tournament firsts for both sides in this year’s Men’s UG20. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Tornado Bees put on an absolute batting masterclass in their allotted 20 overs, posting a formidable 209 for 2.
Opener Suleman Sharif set an aggressive tone early, hammering 21 off just 12 balls with three boundaries and a six before falling to Okoth Joel, caught by Ahaabwe E at 48-1 in the fourth over. Roger Galiwango Mukasa then took center stage, blasting a dazzling 55 off 32 deliveries laced with nine fours and two sixes. Mukasa’s explosive knock ended at 99/2 in the 9.3 over, caught by Aziz T off the bowling of Agaba R.
From there, David Musoke and Munir Ismail delivered an unbroken masterclass in partnership batting. Musoke anchored the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten 68 off 42 balls, striking six fours and three sixes, while Ismail contributed a blistering, undefeated 50 off 36 balls featuring five fours and a six. Together, they propelled the Bees past the 200 mark, bolstered by 15 extras (13 wides, 2 no balls).
Nile CC’s bowling attack absorbed the Bees’ assault. Okoth Joel 1/29 and Agaba Ryan 1/38 picked up the only wickets to fall, while Joshua Luyuyo 0/17, Davin Ajuna 0/33, Jimson Wankona 0/35, Lennon Kangume 0/33, and Isa Kilama 0/24 felt the pressure of the Bees’ relentless strike rate.
Chasing a daunting target of 210, Nile CC fought valiantly, spearheaded by Jimson Wankona’s blistering 56 off 27 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes. However, the innings was ultimately disrupted by heavy downpours that forced a premature end and a revised target of 167 runs.
When the skies opened and brought a halt to the contest, Nile CC’s second innings was cut short at 16.1 overs, finishing at 126 for 6. Wankona fell first, caught by Hamid Munigwa off Cyrus Kibukamusoke at 63/1 in the 6.2 over. Isa Kilama followed cheaply, stumped by wicketkeeper Ashraf Senkubuge off Cyrus Kibukamusoke for 2 at 71/2. Joshua Luyuyo provided gritty resistance with 25 off 33 balls before becoming Cyrus Kibukamusoke’s third victim at 95/3.
The middle order crumbled under the mounting required run rate and wet ball pressure. Ryan Agaba chipped in with 15 before being caught by Suleman Sharif off Munigwa, Ethan Ahaabwe added 8, and captain Lennon Kangume was caught and bowled for a duck by Hamid. At the close of play, Joel Okoth remained defiant and unbeaten on 17 off 7 balls (including two fours and a six), alongside Aguma, who was not out on 0, but it was not enough as they fell 40 runs short of the revised par score.
Kibukamusoke was the pick of the Tornado Bees bowlers, claiming a stellar 3 for 31 in his four overs. Munigwa chipped in with 2 for 20, and Munir Ismail picked up 1 for 11, while John Mpande 0/35, Emmanuel Laloyo 0/9, and Suleman Sharif 0/20 kept things tight.
The afternoon match was ultimately abandoned following the heavy downpour, locking in the 40-run victory for Tornado Bees.
Action across the Men’s UG20 continues on Sunday with a full slate of fixtures.
Kutchi Tigers face off against defending champions Ismaili Community at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, Avengers take on Kutchi Tigers B at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, JACC host Mukono Warriors in Jinja, Tornado play Soroti at Florida Oval, and debutants Iganga square off against Africa CC at the GM Sugar Oval.
All matches will be played in a double-header format, with the first starting at 10 AM and the second at 2 PM.