Event: Men’s Waterfalls Elite Twenty20 Cup Final
Teams: Bujagali Rafters vs Itanda Kayakers
Date: January 29th 2023, @2 PM
Venue: Lugogo Cricket Oval
In the day they were playing two games, Bujagali Rafters couldn’t pick a single victory as they were condemned to defeat by Sipi Trekkers and Itanda Kayakers in the final regular game day of the Men’s Waterfalls Elite Twenty20 Cup at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala.
Bujagali Rafters suffered the same fate just like the other two teams in the tournament who also lost all their games in the day they played twice. Rafters and Kayakers however make it to the final because of a better Net Run Rate compared to Sipi Trekkers who as well picked two wins from four games.
In their first game on Saturday, Bujagali Rafters lost to Sipi Trekkers by six wickets (122/8 in 20 overs against 123/4 in 16.4 overs).
Cricket Cranes star Simon Ssesazi was very good with the bat as he didn’t get out throughout his time on the crease. He returned 76 runs from 59 balls that comprised of nine boundaries (eight 4s and three 6s). Frank Nsubuga who completed Trekkers’ innings with Ssesazi had 16 runs from eight balls.
Brian Asaba was the other Trekkers’player to reach double digits. He had 23 runs from 26 balls and he managed three boundaries (two 4s and one 6).
Bujagali Rafters were inspired by their Captain Brian Masaba who is also the national team captain. He posted 42 runs from 35 balls including six boundaries (five 4s and one 6) and was the last man standing during his side’s innings.
Robinson Obuya was the other standout player for Rafters, managing 40 runs from 34 balls before he was caught by Fahad Mutagana after Kenneth Waiswa’s delivery.
Against Itanda Kayakers, Bujagali Rafters once again lost by six wickets, this time round 154/8 in 20 overs against 159/4 in 20 overs.
Itanda Kayakers skipper Riazat Ali Shah almost hit a century for his side posting 90 runs off 57 balls. He had 12 boundaries (six 4s and six 6s) and was one of the last men standing.
Waseem Butt (26 runs), Anas Baig (11 runs) and Alpesh Ramjani (11 runs) all had double figures for Kayakers.
Roger Mukasa was the highest runs scorer for Bujagali Rafters with 35 runs from 32 balls including four 4s and one 6. He was however bowled out by Joseph Baguma.
Bujagali Rafters and Itanda Kayakers will renew their rivalry less than 24 hours from the time their previous game ended. Rafters will seek to make amends with the title in sight whilst the latter will seek to maintain the winning spirit.
Meanwhile, the tournament partners are; Batball, Plascon, Blink Logistics, UCA, Roke Telecom, Pepsi, Kenbright, Nile Special and Century Cinemax.