Even without Roger Mukasa on the Squad, Partidar cricket Club were still too good for the rest of the pack taking part in the champions trophy.
Partidar overcame a stubborn Charity Trust Fund, a team beaming with youth who had earlier caused an upset when they eliminated an overly confident Wanderers side by five wickets at Kyambogo in the morning.
Wanderers who won the toss and batted first were sent packing for a modest 42 in 10.4 overs. Hum Kayondo (19) was the only player in double figures.
Captain Jonathan Ssebanja and all rounder Henry Ssenyondo’s unbeaten partnership of 10 each aided Charity (43/5) who were playing in their first Champions trophy to a five wicket victory.
“We just don’t know what went wrong at Kyambogo today. We were very sure we could win this but things dint work out as we had planned. This was a good chance for us to win a trophy but it’s another barred season for us. I guess we now have to go back to the drawing board” said Wanderers captain Denis Musali.
In the other Semifinal played at Lugogo, Partidar(162/2) playing without UCA Batsman of the year Roger Mukasa, withstood a stunning performance by Benjamin Musoke(54) and Richard Okia to beat Tornado by 14 runs. The two Veterans put up a nostalgic batting performance with the ball often getting to edge of the playing field with a single bounce and at times without the bounce at all. To many, that’s what T20 should be about.
In the scotching afternoon sun and with the fans expecting a nail biting final, Partidar won the toss and went in to bat. Charity who had won many over after that wanderers upset restricted the league champions to 146/4. A string of bad calls saw wickets drop fast for them and their chase was eventually cut shot by Charles Waiswa who bowled Henry Muyanja to confine the fairy tale side to 123 all out.
“This is a huge achievement for us because this season for us was for testing the waters but we managed to get to the final of the champions trophy. We feel good about this” said a disappointed but delighted Jonathan Ssebanja.
For Charles Waiswa, a second year of clean sweeps is something that players even in the less competitive Ugandan league only dream about. The opening bowler aided the now defunct Premier Cricket club to a clean sweep in 2010 before joining Partidar where he has repeated the same feat.
“We just stuck to basics throughout the season and that always works. Our only challenge was wanderers and Charity and the rest were easy. We dint have Roger for the champions trophy but team work always helps in such situations” said Waiswa.