JOHANNESBURG —Uganda Cricket Team on Thursday cruised to victory at the African Cricket Association (ACA) T20 Cup in Benoni, South Africa. Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa Amb. Paul Amoru, who witnessed the game observed the team exhibited professionalism, resilience and discipline.
The Cricket Cranes arrived in South Africa on Tuesday 15th September on a mission to be the 1st winners of the Africa Cup. Uganda was placed in Group A alongside Botswana, Mozambique, and Ghana with the tournament played in the T20 format and all games hosted at Wilmore Park in Benoni. Uganda defeated Botswana in their opening game followed up by two more wins against Mozambique and Ghana.
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At the business end of the tournament, Uganda met fiercest rivals Kenya in a rain-affected semifinal with the Cricket Cranes winning by 3 wickets in a tense game. The best was clearly saved for last when Uganda met Tanzania in the final, Tanzania posted 174/5 in their 20 overs and Uganda seemed to be out of their depth until the final 4 overs where Riazat Ali Shah took center stage with a counter-attacking stroke play that saw Uganda chase down the total with two balls to spare. The win means Uganda won all five games in the tournament and take home the trophy for the 1st time.
Uganda who is currently ranked 25th in the World will move up in the global T20 rankings after picking up some valuable points from the tournament. The team will leave South Africa tomorrow evening and arrive in Entebbe Saturday early morning.
Amb. Paul Amoru witnessed the final game and had the opportunity to meet the players in the dressing room after the first innings where he commended their team effort and encouraged them to go all out to carry Uganda’s flag high. After the win, Amb. Amoru saluted the boys saying they had done the country proud.
“It was a professional, resilient & disciplined display by our boys. Congratulations!” Amb. Amoru remarked.
