Cricket can be a cruel, unforgiving game, a sport where the distance between hero and scapegoat is measured in mere inches of white leather; just ask Mirza Anas Baig.
Two days, two innings, two agonisingly brief stays at the crease. Against Sierra Leone, a flash of the bat, an edge, and a golden duck collected off George Sesay. Against Botswana, just two balls faced before Alfred Kgosiemang shattered his stumps. For a top-order batsman trusted to set the tone, the opening matches of the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali were a psychological heavyweight bout where he was taking all the blows.
Yet, resilience is forged in the crucible of failure. On Friday at the Gahanga Oval B, backed to the hilt by head coach Steven Tikolo and captain Riazat Ali Shah, Baig walked out to open alongside Robinson Obuya once more. What followed was a stunning display that propelled Uganda to a convincing 64-run victory over hosts Rwanda, keeping their perfect tournament run intact with three wins from three.
When the dust settled on Uganda’s imposing total of 198 for nine, it was Baig standing tall, clutching the Player of the Match honours after a blistering 66 off 36 balls, punctuated by five boundaries and five towering sixes.
Speaking after the match, a visibly relieved Baig was quick to deflect the individual accolades back toward the collective, highlighting the unwavering faith shown in him during his lean patch.
“I am fortunate enough to have received this award because it was the third effort today, given our goals were three out of three each,” Baig said. “But I’d like to appreciate the backing of my coach and the captain and the coaching staff. They supported me and backed me all the way. And they were always giving me confidence to come and have an ending like this.”
That backing proved decisive after the previous outings saw Baig rushed and tentative; Friday’s masterclass was a triumph of pacing and mental fortitude. Asked what he did differently from the previous days, the opener pointed to a simple yet vital adjustment in his approach at the crease.
“I think I just took my time in this innings compared to the others,” Baig reflected. “I just took my time, and when I got set, I just went for it.”
Once set, Baig went through the gears with devastating effect. He found an able ally in Gerald Olipa, who compiled a composed 45 off 32 balls. Captain Riazat chipped in with a brisk 29 off 18, before Cosmas Kyewuta provided late innings flair that electrified the Ugandan dugout, routing an explosive 18 off just four deliveries, including three maximums.
Faced with a daunting target of 199, Rwanda’s chase threatened but never truly caught fire. Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack relentlessly chipped away at the hosts’ resistance, eventually bundling them out for 134 in 18.5 overs. Isaie Niyomugabo offered brief resistance with a top score of 38, but the Cricket Cranes’ bowling unit proved irresistible. Joseph Baguma and Matthew Musinguzi delivered masterclasses in control, claiming 3/20 and 3/23 respectively, while Kyewuta capped off a stellar all-round display by picking up three wickets of his own.
Baig’s Friday redemption is a chapter closed, but the tournament narrative is far from finished. With his confidence fully restored, the opener has his sights firmly fixed on the horizon as the defending champions eye total dominance.
“I’m looking to be more consistent and give good stats for the team,” Baig said of his ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
The Cricket Cranes will have little time to bask in the glow of their latest victory as they turn their attention immediately to a consequential face-off against arch rivals Kenya on Saturday, September 12.
Another clinical performance would not only extend their flawless run in the tournament but also send an ominous warning to the rest of the continent before the team earns two well-deserved rest days ahead of a second round-robin move to the Gahanga Main Oval.