Wednesday, October 28
*Morning
Royal Varsani Bucks – 108/4 (20 ov)
Aziz Damani Scorpions – 104/5 (15.3 ov)
(DLS: Scorpions win by 23 runs)
Afternoon
Royal Varsani Bucks Vs Mamba Challengers (abandoned)
Aziz Damani Scorpions marched on to the Elite League final this Saturday after another win against Royal Varsani Bucks on Wednesday.
In a game interrupted by weather, Scorpions won by 23 runs courtesy of Duckworth and Lewis Stern Method (DLS) at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
Maximum points meant that Scorpions remain top with eight points and cannot be overtaken by bottom-placed Mamba Challengers for any of the top two slots available for the final.
The Mamba Challengers picked their first point of the campaign, thanks to rain, after sharing spoils with Bucks in the afternoon game without a single ball bowled.
Scorpions Ascendency
After winning the toss, the Scorpions put the Bucks to bat first.
The Bucks were batting cautiously and gave away their first two wickets for 40 runs 11 overs – Arnold Otwani was caught by Zephania Arinaitwe with the captain leaving with 14 runs before Simon Ssesazi was bowled by Brian Masaba.
Jonathan Ssebanja added 20 off 16 before he was caught and bowled by Masaba while Fred Achelam’s unbeaten 28 could only propel the side to 108/4.
Scorpions’ chase got off to a wrong start when Zephaniah Arinaitwe was caught by John Gabula to go off with a golden duck while Wassim Butt was sent for early shower as well with 14 off 11.
The Scorpions found their hero in an unlikely source this time, Suleiman Sharif hitting 59 off 37 but failed to find the right partner to drive the total home before falling leg before wicket to Emmaneul Isaneez’s delivery.
Sharif left at 91-4 with eight overs still in the bag, and Scorpions on right course.
Derrick Bakunzi gave away his wicket when he sent Jonathan Ssebanja’s delivery to Jonn Bakula for a catch, but this proved to be the last piece of action after the game was stopped by rain with Scorpions needing five runs from four overs and three bals.
After DLS calculations, the match was reduced to 15.3 overs for a target of 81 runs, and Scorpions had surely done enough to top proceedings for their fourth win.
Thursday;
Morning: Scorpions Vs Mamba
Afternoon: Mamba Vs Bucks
