In a thrilling encounter at the 13th African Games, the Uganda Cricket Team, known as the Cricket Cranes, secured a hard-fought victory against South Africa in their third game of the tournament.
Facing off at the Achimota Complex A, South Africa set a target of 95/9 in their allotted 20 overs. George Van Heerden led the South African batting attack with a commendable 44 runs off 45 balls, while Aphiwe Yako contributed 18 runs off 21 balls.
However, Uganda’s bowlers, led by Bilal Hassun with an outstanding performance of 4 wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs, and Alpesh Ramjani with 3 wickets for 9 runs in 10 overs, put up a formidable defense, restricting South Africa’s scoring opportunities.
In response, Uganda chased down the target, reaching 99/8 in their 20 overs. Roger Mukasa emerged as the hero of the match, delivering a stellar performance with the bat, scoring 41 runs off 54 balls. Brian Masaba provided valuable support, remaining unbeaten with 14 runs off 8 balls. Despite Lehan Botha and Jason Raubenheimer’s efforts, who claimed 2 wickets each for South Africa, Uganda’s batting resilience led them to a well-deserved victory by 2 wickets.
Roger Mukasa’s exceptional innings earned him the Player of the Match award, showcasing his skill and determination on the field.
With this triumph, the Cricket Cranes finished atop Group A with six points, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated semifinal clash. Today, at 12 pm, Uganda will face Namibia at the Achimota Complex A, while Kenya will take on Zimbabwe at 4:15 pm.
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting today’s semifinal showdown, as Uganda aims to continue their winning momentum and advance further in the tournament.
