Bilal Hassan was named player of the match after Cricket Cranes (Uganda senior men’s cricket team) beat Botswana by 6 wickets (115/4 against 113 all out) to win their opening game of the Continent Cup T20 Tournament at Gymkhana Cricket Oval in Nairobi.
Bilal, 33 picked four wickets 4(23)
in a short stint consistently breaking Botswana’s partnerships towards the end of their innings.
Bilal dismissed both Thatayaone Tshose and Phemelo Silas within the 16th over before Karabo Motlhanka and Katlo Piet all fell prey to him in the 18th over.
Dinesh Nakrani 2(14) and Franko Nsubuga 2(29) each managed two wickets for the Cricket Cranes. Riazat Ali Shah and Alpesh Ramjani had a wicket apiece.
Meanwhile, in their innings, Botswana who won the toss and elected to bat were led by their skipper Karabo Motlhanka who posted a game high 45 runs from 45 balls, comprising of 2 fours and 2 sixes. Ameer Saiyed (23 runs) and Thatayaone Tshose (13 runs) were the other players to manage double figures.
For the Cricket Cranes, Roger Mukasa led the way with 41 runs from 18 balls. The other players to post double figures were; Alpesh Ramjani (29) and Dinesh Nakrani (14).
For Botswana, Mmoloki Mooketsi picked two wickets, dismissing Roger Mukasa and Kenneth Waiswa. Boemo Kgosiemang and Dhruvkumar Maisuria both picked a wicket.
Up next for the Cricket Cranes is perennial rivals, Kenya on Saturday at the same venue. The hosts won the tournament opener against Rwanda by three wickets and the two sides go into the match with their heads high.
Match Day 1: Continent Cup T20 Tournament
Game 1: Uganda v Botswana
Uganda 115/4
Botswana 113 all out.
