CHIMP SPORT: Cricket Cranes Bounce Back Against Sierra Leone

Result: Uganda 56/2 beat Sierra Leone 55 all out by 8 wickets

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Sierra Leone at the start of the second round of the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali, Rwanda.

Sierra Leone won the toss and opted to bat first but struggled against a disciplined Ugandan bowling attack, eventually posting a modest total.

Gerald Olipa led the way with an impressive spell of part-time spin, taking three wickets for just one run. Joseph Baguma, Kenneth Waiswa and Enock Kasaija claimed two wickets apiece as Uganda made light work of the Sierra Leone batting lineup.

Uganda made three changes to the side, handing Fahad Mutagana his T20I debut alongside Ronald Lutaaya and Enock Kasaija, who replaced Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta and Charles Mushemeza.

In the chase, Anas Baig fell cheaply to George Sesay for the second time against Sierra Leone, but Robinson Obuya steadied the innings with 20, carrying his bat through the chase despite the early loss of debutant Mutagana, who made 10.

Olipa then completed an all-round contribution with an unbeaten 21 to guide Uganda home inside seven overs.

The victory is Uganda’s fourth of the tournament and keeps the Cricket Cranes second in the five-team standings, with the top two sides advancing to the final.

Next for Uganda is the battle against Botswana as the race for a place in the final intensifies.