Namibia Eagles beat Uganda Cricket Cranes in the first warm-up match ahead of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Eagles beat the Cricket Cranes by a whopping ninety-three runs on Monday afternoon at the Harare Sports Club.
Namibia won the toss and elected to bat first. They set a total of 205 runs in their full innings for a loss of six wickets. JJ Smit hit 58 off 36 with Malan Kruger (36 off 18) and Ruben Trumpelmann (32 off 9) not far behind.
Uganda’s bowling attack struggled with Cosmas Kyewuta getting hit for fifteen runs per over (2 for 61) and Alpesh Ramjani for nine runs per over (2 for 27) despite Frank Nsubuga (0 for 12 in 2 overs) and Juma Miyaji (1 for 32 in 4 overs) fighting back.
This left the batsmen with a huge mountain to climb in the second innings. The Cricket Cranes could only manage 112 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the full twenty overs.
Ramjani knocked 18 runs off 15 balls and Kyewuta (not out) hit 14 off 10 in his stint.
Despite the heavy defeat, head coach Abhay Sharma stressed that such tough outings are crucial in the preparation processes.
“We wanted pressure. These are lessons we must quickly learn before the main event. The guys must take and show responsibility,” coach Abhay Sharma said.
The Cricket Cranes will play one more warm-up match; against Malawi at the Takashinga Cricket Club on Wednesday afternoon.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier
Result – First Warm-Up Match (September 22)
Cricket Cranes vs Namibia at Harare Sports Club
Namibia 205/6 (20 overs) beat Uganda 112/8 (20 overs) by 93 runs
Top scorers: JJ Smit 58* (36), Malan Kruger 36 (18), Ruben Trumpelmann 32 (9)
Uganda best bowler: Alpesh Ramjani 2/27
Uganda batting: Ramjani 18 (15), Kyewuta 14* (10)
Namibia bowling: Volschenk 2/12, Trumpelmann 1/16
Second Warm-Up Match (September 24)
Uganda vs Malawi
2.50 p.m. EAT at Takashinga Cricket Club
