DAR ES SALAAM — Uganda’s pursuit of a place in the next phase of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup qualification pathway has entered a decisive stage after the Cricket Cranes suffered a second consecutive defeat in the Challenge League B final leg.
Hong Kong, China defeated Uganda by 51 runs at the NTS Ground, TCA Arena – UDSM, successfully defending their total of 170 after the Cranes were bowled out for 119 in 36.5 overs.
The result leaves Uganda on 20 points, level with Italy, who retain the advantage on net run rate.
Hong Kong, China have closed the gap to 18 points, leaving the qualification race finely poised with two matches remaining.
For Uganda, the margin for error has effectively disappeared.
Ssenyondo reaches historic milestone
Having conceded 75 runs for just one wicket, Uganda’s bowlers recovered impressively to restrict Hong Kong, China to 170 all out in 50 overs.
Henry Ssenyondo and Joseph Baguma claimed three wickets each, while Dinesh Nakrani and returning bowler Juma Miyaji also contributed to the breakthrough.
Ssenyondo’s figures of 3/29 carried particular significance as they took him to 50 List A career wickets, making him the first Ugandan to reach the milestone.
Despite the improved bowling display, Uganda once again struggled to negotiate a pitch that has increasingly favoured spin and made stroke-making difficult.
Olipa provides the resistance
The chase could hardly have started worse for Uganda, who slipped to 2/2 before 18-year-old Gerald Olipa steadied the innings.
Displaying remarkable composure in challenging conditions, Olipa produced Uganda’s outstanding batting performance, scoring 60 from 101 deliveries, including five fours and a six.
His innings provided the backbone of the chase, but Uganda lacked the partnerships required to build sustained pressure on Hong Kong, China.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah contributed 22, while Baguma added 17, but wickets continued to fall until the Cranes were eventually dismissed for 119.
Olipa was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Ghazanfar, ending Uganda’s most promising resistance.
Ogwang demands a response
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang acknowledged that Uganda have yet to adapt quickly enough to the conditions in Dar es Salaam.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. We have not adjusted quickly enough to these wickets, especially when batting.”
Ogwang felt the bowling unit showed improvement but admitted the team still fell short of its desired standards.
“We bowled well, but perhaps not to the level we wanted, and unfortunately we have folded too meekly with the bat.”
With qualification now hanging in the balance, Ogwang said the Cranes must respond immediately.
“There are no two ways about it. We have to rock up and win our remaining two games. We still want to progress, and that is what we are going to fight for.”
Olipa accepts his costly mistake
Despite producing a vital half-century, Olipa acknowledged that his dismissal came at a moment when he needed greater discipline.
He explained that a change in the field contributed to a lapse in concentration, after which he attempted a switch hit that he felt was unnecessary.
The young batter remains confident that Uganda can recover, insisting the team is capable of producing a much stronger batting performance in its remaining fixtures.
Two matches, everything at stake
Uganda’s three-year Challenge League B campaign has reached its most critical point.
With Italy and Uganda both on 20 points and Hong Kong, China on 18, the remaining two fixtures will determine whether the Cricket Cranes keep their World Cup qualification ambitions alive.
Uganda face Singapore on Saturday, August 15, before completing their campaign against Bahrain on Tuesday, August 18.
Uganda’s remaining fixtures:
Saturday, August 15
🇺🇬 Uganda vs Singapore
📍 Estim Ground, TCA Arena – UDSM
Tuesday, August 18
🇺🇬 Uganda vs Bahrain
📍 NTS Ground, TCA Arena – UDSM
Singapore are yet to register a victory, but Uganda cannot afford complacency.
Two wins would take the Cranes to 24 points and significantly strengthen their position in the qualification race.
Two further defeats, however, could bring their campaign to an abrupt end.
After back-to-back losses, Uganda now have no room for another mistake.
The pathway remains open — but from here, only victories will do.
