Uganda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup took another hit as they suffered a second straight defeat, losing to Kenya by seven wickets at the UNILAG Cricket Pitch in Lagos, Nigeria.
Batting first, the Baby Cricket Cranes struggled against Kenya’s disciplined bowling attack, managing only 69 runs in 19.5 overs.
Peter Ocen top-scored with 28 runs, while Balidawa Ali added 18, but Uganda failed to build meaningful partnerships.
Kenya’s bowlers were relentless, with Neel Doshi leading the charge by taking 3 wickets for just 13 runs in his 6 overs.
Krishil Patel and Anthony Ndungu also delivered stellar performances, claiming 4 and 3 wickets, respectively, to dismantle Uganda’s batting lineup.
In response, Kenya chased down the target comfortably, finishing at 70/3 in 34.5 overs.
Stian Smith anchored the innings with 38 runs while Neel Doshi’s exceptional bowling earned him the Player of the Match award.
With two losses in as many games, Uganda now faces a must-win scenario as they prepare for their next match against Sierra Leone on April 1 at TBS Cricket Oval.
The Baby Cricket Cranes will need a strong performance to revive their qualification hopes in the tournament, where only the top team secures a ticket to the U19 World Cup.
