Cricket T20 Africa: Uganda Remains Positive Despite Loss To Namibia

May 21, 2019
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Tuesday, May 21
*Namibia 167/7 beat Uganda 125/8 by 42 runs

*Kenya Vs Ghana, 2:00 PM – Kyambogo
*Botswana Vs Nigeria, 2:00 PM – Lugogo

Uganda’s senior men National Cricket team, the Cricket Cranes lost by 42 runs to Namibia in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Final at Kyambogo Oval, Kampala.

The loss dents Uganda’s chances of finishing inside the top two, among the six teams, for further qualification to the Global Qualifiers, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October/November 2019.

Uganda had a strong start Vs Namibia. ICC Cricket Africa photo

Despite the loss, Uganda who had a good start on day one with a 52 run win over Botswana at Lugogo, remain positive and confident that they still hold firm chances.

“It was always going to be a tough one against Namibia but we remained confident that we can win,” said Assistant Coach Jackson Ogwang shortly after Namibia loss. “We started well but gave it away in the middle.”

“We didn’t do so well with the bat but we hope to bounce back. We are not taking anyone lightly and starting with Kenya tomorrow, it will be like a final.”

Uganda will face neighbours Kenya on Wednesday in a rescheduled game after day one was abandoned. Ghana and Nigeria will follow suit afterwards.

Frank Nsubuga, speaking after the loss, explained:

“We started well, we though that we could limit them to 140 at one stage but we gave them more extra 20 and that is where we lost it.

“With the bat, we failed to get many singles after the first six overs. I believe its not yet over, We need to badly beat Kenya and hope for the best in our next games.”

Uganda Fall To A Better Opponent

There is no doubt about Namibia being a Cricket powerhouse in Africa.

This was recently highlighted towards the end of last month when they obliterated Hong kong by 151 runs to attain an ODI Status.

However, with the ongoing tourney being a T20, Uganda kept believing and hoping.

Namibia won the toss and as expected, they chose to score first – bat.

Out! Riazat and Roger celebrate as Namibian batsman is shown exit. ICC Africa photo

It was Uganda who had the first laugh as they limited the side to just 45/3 in six overs – Hamu Kayondo and Arnold Otwani combined to run out Stephan Bard, Nicholas Davin was caught by Nakrani before sending captain Gerhard Erasmus to an early shower.

Namibia regained stamina on the crease thanks to Christi Vijoen (33 off 30 balls) and man of the match Karl Birkenstock. The latter left with a quick 59 that had four sixes and six boundaries.

Namibia held on to set 167/7.

The emotions from the fans were mixed as others felt that it was a reachable score while some, who later turned out to be prophets, had it that Uganda could choke.

Openers Zephaniah Arinaitwe and Hamu Kayondo had strong starts but could only manage 15 runs each. Roger Mukasa (14) and Arnold Otwani (11) failed to rise to the occasion and left a huge chunk for the tail end. Riazat Ali Shah who swung two maximums contributed 19 off 16 balls before he was caught by Scholtz to all but end Uganda’s hopes of a late surge.

Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Z Arinaitwe, 2.6 ov), 2-42 (HB Kayondo, 4.6 ov), 3-60 (A Otwani, 9.5 ov), 4-67 (RG Mukasa, 11.2 ov), 5-83 (DM Nakrani, 14.2 ov), 6-91 (D Muhumuza, 15.3 ov), 7-104 (F Nsubuga, 16.2 ov), 8-105 (Riazat Ali Shah, 16.4 ov)