Uganda Cricket Cranes secured a relieving seven-wicket victory over Malawi in their final warm-up match ahead of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers.
The Cricket Cranes summarily dismissed Malawi for a paltry 67 runs in 15.3 overs of the first innings before racing to 69 in 7.3 for a loss of 3 wickets.
Result – Second Warm-up Match (September 24)
Cricket Cranes vs Malawi at Takashinga Cricket Club
Uganda 69/3 (7.3 overs) beat Malawi 67 all out (15.3 overs) by 7 wickets
Top scorers: Joseph Baguma 4/18 bowling, Raghav Dhawan 45 not out batting.
Head coach Abhay Sharma praised the effort, noting Baguma’s continued rise and the batsmen’s use of the opportunity to find form.
Baguma himself reaffirmed his readiness to “repay the selectors’ faith whenever given a chance,” while wicketkeeper-batsman Kakuru described the win as “morale-lifting after two tough results.”
Although that was a quick match, Malawi allowed Uganda to bat out their full twenty overs which they closed with 188 for 7 at the Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Focus now shifts quickly to the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup tournament opener against hosts and favourites Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon.
Next Fixture – Tournament Opener – Friday, Sept 26
Uganda vs. Zimbabwe – Harare Sports Club, 2.50pm (EAT)
Cricket Cranes (ranked 21st) enter the tournament determined to prove that their maiden World Cup qualification in 2023 at the expense of Zimbabwe (ranked 12th) was no fluke.
“We are a World Cup team, and we need to show it through our performances,” said captain Riazat Ali Shah.
“If we play hard cricket, we’ll give our travelling fans reason to celebrate.”
Head coach Abhay Sharma added: “This is now a tactical battle. We have to apply ourselves and take care of the processes – the results will take care of themselves.”
Injury has forced a change in the Cricket Cranes camp just one day to the tournament: Ronald Lutaaya replaces Shrideep Mangela.
