Central Rhinos and Nile Leopards won all (two) of their games in the opening day of the inaugural Batball X. The former seeded in Group B are playing their games at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala while the latter who are in Group A are playing at Jinja SS Oval. Each group has three teams.
At Lugogo, Central Rhinos condemned Western Bulls and Rwanda Emerging to defeats whilst Nile Leopards came atop Eastern Buffaloes and Northern Elephants at Jinja SS Oval.
Central Rhinos who had a couple of Baby Cricket Cranes (U-19 boys national team) players in their squad headlined proceedings at Lugogo. In the opener, they posted 141/3 (10 overs) against the Western Bulls, who could only manage 67/5 (10 overs) in response. They won the game by 74 runs.
In the second game at Lugogo, Western Bulls’ plight was compounded by Rwanda Emerging who restricted them to just 44/9. In their innings, the Rwandan side had a short stint on the crease when they posted 45/4 in 5 overs. Rwanda Emerging won the encounter by 6 wickets.
After both displaying good cricket against Western Bulls, fans anticipated a good show between Central Rhinos and Rwanda Emerging as they faced off in the final match of the day at Lugogo.
Central Rhinos elected to bat after winning the toss. They managed 88/6 in their innings and restricted Rwanda Emerging to 77/8 in 10 overs, winning the match by 11 runs.
Jaffer Ochaya led the way for Central Rhinos as he posted a game high 26 runs off 21 balls. His tally comprised of 4 fours. He was later bowled by Daniel Gumyusenge.
Team Captain, Chris Kidega who almost hit a half century in the opener was a thorn in the flesh for the Rwandan side but his time out on the crease was short-lived after he was run-out by Yves Cyusa following a miscalculated move. Never the less, from just nine balls, he posted 24 balls with his tally comprising of 3 sixes.
For Rwanda Emerging, Yves Cyusa led the way with 17 runs. Vincent De Paul Yvan (15 runs), Eloi Loic Abimbabazi (14 runs) and Isae Niyomugabo (14 runs) all managed double figures for the Rwandan side.
Central Rhinos lead Group B with 4 points after a perfect outing in the opener. Rwanda Emerging are second with 2 points while Western Bulls are at the bottom of the table with no point.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling opener in Jinja, Nile Leopards put up a dominant performance, amassing 107/3 in 10 overs. Their bowlers followed suit, restricting Eastern Buffaloes to 62/3, securing a convincing 45-run victory.
The Eastern Buffaloes, however, regrouped for their second match against the Northern Elephants. Setting a target of 97 runs, the Buffaloes’ bowlers defended their total, guiding the team to a 16-run win.
Nile Leopards continued to shine, posting 110/4 in the last match of the day against the Northern Elephants, who struggled to reach 54/8. Nile Leopards clinched a comprehensive 56-run victory to solidify their position in the Group A standings.
Nile Leopards lead Group A with 4 points after an impressive display in the opener. Eastern Buffaloes are second with 2 points while Northern Elephants are at the bottom of the table with no point.
Wednesday is a crucial day as it will determine who makes it to the next stage of the tournament.
The tournament’s climax will be the Super 4 stage (Friday and Saturday), where the top two teams from each group will compete in adrenaline-pumping matches at the Lugogo Cricket Oval. The battle for supremacy will culminate in an exhilarating final (Sunday), where the cricketing elite will vie for the prestigious Batball X championship title.
Batball X day one results
Group A games at Lugogo Cricket Oval
Game 1
Central Rhinos 141/3 in 10 overs
Western Bulls 67/5 overs
Central rhinos win by 74 runs
Game 2
Western Bulls 44/9 in 10 overs
Rwanda Emerging 45/4 in 5 overs
Rwanda Emerging win by 6 wickets
Game 3
Central Rhinos 88/6 in 10 overs
Rwanda Emerging 77/8 in 10 overs
Central Rhinos win by 11 runs
Group B games at Jinja SS Oval
Game 1
Nile Leopards 107/3 in 10 overs
Eastern Buffaloes 62/3 in 10 overs
Nile Leopards won by 45 runs
Game 2
Eastern Buffaloes 96/ 2 in 10 overs
Northern Elephants 70/5 in 10 overs
Eastern Buffaloes won by 16 runs
Game 3
Nile Leopards 110/4 in 10 overs
Northern Elephants 54/8 in 10 overs
Nile Leopards won by 56 runs
Day Two fixtures
Group A
Eastern Buffaloes vs Northern Elephants
Eastern Buffaloes vs Nile Leopards
Nile Leopards vs Northern Elephants
Group B
Western Bulls vs Rwanda Emerging
Central Rhinos vs Rwanda Emerging
Western Bulls vs Central Rhinos
