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Gerald Olipa gave Uganda’s campaign real momentum. The batter smashed 82 off 42 balls to power the Cricket Cranes to an 87-run victory over Zambia in Abuja on Tuesday 20 October, in their opening match of sub-regional tournament C of the African qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Uganda finished their innings on 195 for six after 20 overs, then bowled out Zambia’s ten batters for 108 in 17 overs and three balls. The result lets Steve Tikolo’s side start with a win before they face Lesotho on Wednesday.
Olipa turns around a shaky start
The final score masks Uganda’s early losses. Robinson Obuya was dismissed for one, then Raghav Dhawan for 23. Captain Riazat Ali Shah contributed 38 off 20 balls, but his exit left his side on 73 for three after seven overs and three balls.
Olipa then delivered the decisive contribution: five fours and seven sixes in an innings of 82. His ability to find the boundary kept Uganda moving forward despite the wickets. Sumeet Verma added 21. Olipa was finally dismissed with the total on 181 for five, in the penultimate over.
Juma Miyagi closed the innings with 11 off three balls, not out. Zambia therefore needed 196 to win, a target they never came close to.
Baguma takes four wickets
Zambia’s reply was checked from the start by Miyagi, who dismissed Shadreck Malama for a duck. At 30 for three, the side had already lost much of its scope for a recovery.
Joyeb Chand resisted with 38 off 28 balls, while Jakir Patel added 23. Their effort was not enough: Joseph Baguma took four wickets for 44 runs conceded, Miyagi three for 17 and Alpesh Ramjani two for just 13 in four overs. Enock Kasaija claimed the final wicket.
Named player of the match, Olipa was backed by a bowling attack able to defend the total. Uganda have a first win, but qualification is still to be earned: only the top two sides in this six-team tournament will go through to the African regional final. After Lesotho, the Cricket Cranes still have to face Gambia, Mozambique and Nigeria.
Source: sportnewsafrica.com
