Uganda made it two straight wins in the ICC World Cricket League Division Three by beating Nepal by 6 wickets Monday.
Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 116. An unbeaten 49 from Roger Mukasa saw Uganda overhaul the target with 6 wickets to spare.
A day earlier, at the National Sports Centre, Uganda continued its winning streak against the Bermuda in WCL events, recording a 114 run victory over the host to secure a first round win.
When the teams last met in a WCL event, Uganda beat Bermuda in both encounters of Division 2 in April 2011.
In Sunday’s match, Uganda posted a total of 222 from its 50 overs, with opener Arthur Kyobe setting a solid foundation. Crafting a patient 53, Kyobe’s departure left Uganda at four for 119. Wicket keeper Lawrence Sematimba added 42 and Frank Nsubuga finished unbeaten on 51 to help Uganda to a total of 222 in 50 overs.
In reply, Bermuda started slowly, and it had scored only 39 runs when it lost its first wicket in the 16th over. Good fielding from Uganda helped keep the run rate down and resulted in three run outs. Veteran Lionel Cann was the main run-getter, with the 40-year old scoring 22, before Bermuda was all out for 108 in the 44th over.
Henry Senyondo was the leading wicket taker for Uganda, with four for 23, while Kyobe was awarded the Man of the Match award.
Uganda skipper Davis Arinaitwe was delighted with such a strong start to the tournament: “We got off the right way for a big tournament like this. That type of win against the home team puts out a strong statement that we are here for business, not just to enjoy the beach and make friends. Today’s match is now in the past, so the tournament starts for us tomorrow.”
Bermuda captain Stephen Outerbridge was disappointed with his side’s performance on home ground: “Obviously, we are disappointed that it didn’t come off for us today. Hats off to Uganda though, the team played really well. I think our bowlers executed their plans well, but the batsmen did not. Hopefully that will turn around for us tomorrow.”
Uganda’s coach Marting Suji cautioned that the team will continue to focus on playing good cricket in each game without underestimating any of the other sides.
The team were buoyed on with the massive support and cheering from the Ugandan professionals living in Bermuda who had also hosted the Ugandan team on Friday to a sumptuous welcome dinner to the beautiful island of Bermuda.
Ugandans living in Bermuda led by Tim Gasaatura, Arnold Ahereza attended.
In a separate but related incident, speaking at a press conference held on the day before the opening game, captain Arinaitwe had indicated that, “as a unit we feel, because we are young and the kind of cricket we play, we’re good enough to go out there and be competitive .”
Wednesday
Uganda v Italy
Monday result
NEPAL 116 / 10
UGANDA 117 / 4
Sunday
Bermuda vs Uganda (Uganda won by 114 runs)
Additional reporting by Edward Mishambi & BERNEWS
Source The New Vision
