Uganda’s Cricket Cranes made an emphatic start to their ILT20 Cup title defence, dismantling Sierra Leone by 114 runs in their opening encounter in Kigali, Rwanda.
The defending champions posted a commanding 250/3 in 20 overs after being sent in to bat, before restricting Sierra Leone to 136/4, securing maximum points in a one-sided contest.
The foundation for Uganda’s imposing total was laid by Charles Musemeza and Gerald Olipa, who recovered brilliantly after an early setback to produce a remarkable 227-run partnership.
Uganda lost Anas Baig off the opening delivery, caught behind after a good-length delivery took the edge of his glove.
Robinson Obuya and Musemeza initially found scoring difficult, but both settled into the innings and gradually took control.
Musemeza struck an impressive 89, while Olipa was even more fluent, remaining unbeaten on 83 as Uganda accelerated through the middle and latter stages of the innings.
Riazat Ali Shah then provided a blistering finish, smashing 32 from just eight deliveries to propel Uganda to 250/3—the highest total of the tournament at that stage.
Sierra Leone showed early intent in the chase, with Aluseine Turay leading the resistance.
Turay made 74 and shared a 53-run opening stand with Raymond Coker, who scored nine.
However, Uganda quickly regained control when Juma Miyaji struck twice, disrupting Sierra Leone’s momentum and leaving the chase increasingly precarious.
Miyaji finished with 2/18, while Kenneth Waiswa claimed 2/20 as the Cricket Cranes tightened the screws and eventually restricted their opponents to 136/4.
The emphatic victory underlined Uganda’s depth and attacking intent, with the defending champions barely needing to exhaust their resources despite the comprehensive margin of victory.
With their batting depth still largely untapped, Uganda now turn their attention to Botswana, whom they face this morning in their second match of the tournament.
