Cricket

Lagos WT20i Invitational: Nigeria Storm Into Final After Crushing South Africa U19, Set Up Rwanda Final Showdown

Published

2 months ago

March 28, 2026

Nigeria has qualified for the final of the Lagos WT20I Invitation after defeating South Africa U19 by seven wickets on Friday at the Cricket Oval of the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos.

There was a moment, early in the game, when it became clear this was going to be Nigeria’s night.

South Africa U19 had won the toss and chosen to bat, but whatever plans they brought to the crease quickly unraveled.

The Nigerian bowlers came out sharp, aggressive, and unrelenting—striking again and again until the scoreboard read a staggering 9 for 5 after just four overs.

It was the kind of collapse that shifts not just a match, but momentum, belief, and energy.

From there, the YellowGreens never loosened their grip.

Wickets kept falling, pressure kept building, and South Africa U19 were eventually bundled out for just 66 runs in 17 overs.

It was a complete bowling performance—disciplined, ruthless, and perfectly executed at a crucial stage of the Lagos WT20i Invitational.

Chasing 67, Nigeria didn’t rush—but they didn’t hesitate either.

The reply was calm, controlled, and confident. Even with a couple of wickets falling, there was never any real sense of danger.

The batters paced the innings smartly, picking their moments, rotating strike, and punishing loose deliveries.

In just 9.5 overs, it was done.

A seven-wicket win. A statement performance. A place in the final secured.

One Step Away Rwanda Next

While Nigeria were cruising, Rwanda were made to work for their spot.

In the other semi-final, Zimbabwe U19 posted a competitive 135 for 4, setting up what looked like a challenging chase.

But Rwanda held their nerve. They stayed in the contest, absorbed the pressure, and timed their charge to perfection, reaching 136 for 5 with just four balls to spare.

That victory sealed a final meeting with Nigeria.

Now, it all comes down to one match.

Nigeria have momentum, confidence, and the home crowd behind them. Rwanda arrive battle-tested, composed, and dangerous.?

The stage is set for a gripping finale at the Lagos WT20i Invitational, one where only one side will complete the journey.

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The post Lagos WT20i Invitational: Nigeria Storm Into Final After Crushing South Africa U19, Set Up Rwanda Final Showdown appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Cricket

Cricket Cranes nick second T20 game against Mumbai Colts XI

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Second T20: Cricket Cranes Mumbai Tour
Result: Cricket Cranes 134/6 beat MCA XI 133/9 by 4 wickets

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes picked up a win in the second T20 match on their Mumbai Tour to make a great comeback from the loss in the first game.

The Cricket Cranes made changes to the team with tour Captain Fred Achellam rested and Henry Ssenyondo taking over the reins. Siraje Nsubuga and Enock Kasaijja also made a return to the playing XI.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. Juma Miyaji struck early for the visitors, but the hosts had their moments to take on the game with some top and middle order contributions.

Tanvish Vaze (3/26) was the pick among the wicket takers, with Enock Kasaija (2/25) picking up a couple, as the hosts finished on 133/9 in their quota of 20 overs.

Sarvesh Patil (54) anchored the run chase at the top of the order for the Cricket Cranes, with Tanvish Vase (38) the only other notable contribution in a nervous chase for the visitors.

Gerald Olipa couldn’t follow up his half-century from the first T20 match as Anas Baig (13) was the only other batter to get into double figures.

The Cricket Cranes will play two more T20 games before returning to base.

The post Cricket Cranes nick second T20 game against Mumbai Colts XI appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Cricket

Baby Cricket Cranes start strong against visiting Rwanda U-19 Side

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

1st 50 over Game: Uganda 231 all out beat Rwanda U-19 112 all out by 119 runs
2nd 50 Over Game: Uganda U-19 172/5 beat Rwanda U-19 169 all out by 5 wickets

Uganda’s Baby Cricket Cranes picked up their second win of the High Performance Cup, that is featuring the visiting Rwanda U-19 team.

The two sides are preparing for the Division 2 U-19 World Cup Qualifiers in August in Rwanda as a pathway to the 2028 U-19 World Cup Qualifier.

The new look Uganda U-19 side features many new faces, with only four players part of the unsuccessful side in Nigeria last year.

The notable wins for the Ugandan team have been an improvement in the application of the youngsters in the long format. The youngsters are usually accustomed to playing T20 cricket, and making the adjustment is usually very hard. However, in the two games, the side has shown a desire to play some long innings without throwing away their wickets.

Robert Owili (79) led the way in the first game with a well-crafted half-century that helped the hosts post a big total. In the response, Hamid Munigwa (4/28) ensured the result was safe for the hosts with some neat bowling from his slow left-arm spin.

In the second game, Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat. Gihozo Elese (51) battled valiantly with the tail to get his side to 168 inside 42 overs. The visitors showed better application in the middle under extreme stress, especially from the Ugandan fast bowlers.

In the run chase, the visitors struck early, but a good partnership between Eric Mukisa (43) and Robert Owili (34) calmed the nerves for the hosts, with the middle holding it together to see through the game and bring up a five-wicket win.

The series is timely for the technical committee to make sure they can get the youngsters ready for the qualifiers.

Uganda dropped down the Division from the last qualifier and will be looking to climb up the rankings and have a shot at a 3rd World Cup appearance.

The post Baby Cricket Cranes start strong against visiting Rwanda U-19 Side appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Cricket

Cricket Cranes fall in first T20 on Mumbai Tour

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2026

Kenny Malone

Uganda XI — 112 all out (17.2 Ov)
Falcons — 118/9 (19.1 Ov)
Falcons won by 1 wicket

Cricket Cranes dropped their first game on their ongoing tour of Mumbai. In a low-scoring thriller, the visitors didn’t have enough runs, which worked against them in the end.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first, and they immediately made inroads into the batting of the Cricket Cranes.

The top three were cleaned up cheaply to leave the Cricket Cranes railing at 21/3, but the counterattack came from Gerald Olipa (52) with his first half century in the yellow of the Cricket Cranes.

Ronald Lutaaya (17) was the only other batter to get into double figures as the Cricket Cranes were bundled out for only 112 inside 18 overs.

In the run chase, the visitors were cruising, and inside the powerplay, despite losing three wickets, they were 53/3 scoring at over 10 runs an over.

The run chase was brought to a halt momentarily with a miserly spell from Henry Ssenyondo, who gave away just 13 runs in his quota of four overs and picked up two wickets.

The offspin of Joseph Baguma came at a cost despite picking two wickets; he gave away 30 runs in his 3.1 overs.

A valiant fight for the Cricket Cranes, but ultimately, the lack of runs on board denied them a good result.

It was the first loss of the visitors after getting a clean sweep in the 50 Over version. They will be back in action tomorrow morning for their second T20 match.

The post Cricket Cranes fall in first T20 on Mumbai Tour appeared first on Kawowo Sports.