Fresh from hoisting the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier trophy in Kigali, Rwanda, Baby Cricket Cranes prodigy Kenneth Isiiko has wasted no time making headlines back home, turning in a masterclass performance for Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC) in the ongoing UG20 tournament at the Jinja SSS Cricket Ground.
Isiiko, who contributed crucial runs including a resilient 12 against Sierra Leone during Uganda’s triumphant unbeaten run in Rwanda alongside teammates like Larry Elton Itaagi and Felix Ochan, put on a show of resilience during a dramatic double-header against the Mukono Warriors.
The morning fixture saw the Mukono Warriors extend their formidable form with a clinical 33-run victory over JACC. Batting first, the Warriors carved out 116/9 in their allotted 20 overs, anchored by Musa Majid Ramathan’s top score of 35.
Isiiko proved to be a thorn in the Warriors’ side with the ball, spearheading the JACC bowling attack with a stellar three-wicket haul. However, the JACC batting lineup faltered in the chase, bundled out for 83 in 16.5 overs despite Aaron Kusasira’s resistance with 18. Robert Ajuna stole the show for the Warriors with an economical and devastating spell of 3/13, earning the morning Player of the Match accolade.
Unfazed by the morning setback, JACC exacted sweet revenge in the afternoon encounter, edging the Warriors by three wickets in a nail-biting finish. Opting to bat first, Mukono Warriors posted a competitive 126/9, driven by Alpesh Mepani (27) and Arjun Keshwala (21), as JACC bowlers Sowobi Yunus, Oyaga Sadam, and Shabir Ullah shared the spoils with two wickets apiece.
What followed was the Isiiko show. Chasing 127, the young sensation anchored the innings with a magnificent, match-winning 43, ably supported by an unbeaten 31 from Yunus as JACC crossed the line at 129/7 with just two balls to spare.
Even though Ankur Thakur fought valiantly for Mukono Warriors with three wickets, Isiiko’s brilliance with the bat carried JACC across the finish line, rightfully earning him the afternoon Player of the Match honours and cementing his status as one of Ugandan cricket’s brightest rising talents.