Boundaries galore as Owili steers Baby Cricket Cranes to second consecutive win

• Uganda U19 Men 410/6 in 50 Overs
• Mozambique U19 Men 26 all out in 25.5 Overs
• Uganda U19 Men won by 384 runs

The boundaries kept coming at the Gahanga Cricket Oval B on Monday as Uganda’s Baby Cricket Cranes produced another outstanding batting display before crushing Mozambique by 384 runs in the ICC Boys U19 World Cup Qualifiers Division 2.

Uganda hit 47 boundaries 38 fours and nine sixes with Robert Owili leading the way with 15 fours and three sixes. Samuel Ahaisibwe was also among the runs, hitting 12 fours as Uganda posted a huge 410 for six in their 50 overs.

Having won the toss, Uganda chose to bat first. The decision looked questionable early on when Devanshkumar Patel, who opened with Ahaisibwe, was dismissed for a duck. He was bowled by Charles Manuel Mbebe and caught by Julio Manjate, leaving Uganda with an early setback.

Abraiz Mir Ali quickly settled the nerves, though, scoring 34 off 38 balls before his dismissal with two balls remaining in the 10th over. By then, Uganda had already reached 75 for one.

That brought Owili to the crease alongside Ahaisibwe, and the pair once again showed the understanding that had helped Uganda in their opening match against Nigeria.

Ahaisibwe was particularly impressive. He brought up his second consecutive half century in the 12th over as Uganda moved to 97 for two. The runs came mostly through boundaries, but the pair also kept the scoreboard moving with sharp running between the wickets despite Uganda picking up very few extras.

By the 15th over, Uganda were 125 for two and looked firmly in control. Ahaisibwe, however, suffered the same disappointment as in the previous match. After reaching his half century, he again missed out on three figures, falling in the 17th over for a brilliant 77 off 53 balls.

Captain Daniel Rubangakene walked in next and immediately looked positive, although his first good hit failed to bring a run.

Uganda reached 130 for three by the 18th over, with the scoring slowing slightly towards the end of the 19th. Rubangakene soon found a boundary and added an extra before running three to take Uganda to 137 for three before the 21st over.

The big hits returned soon after, with a full toss from Emerson Rita Ndzeute coming on the final ball of the 23rd over, Rubangakene made no mistake, sending it over the boundary for six. Owili then opened the 24th over with a boundary before Rubangakene added another off Manuel Eduardo Mbebe Jr.

Uganda were 166 for three at the end of the 24th over by the 30th over, Uganda had reached the 200 run mark, while Owili brought up his half century. The pair continued to build the innings, taking Uganda to 208 for three by the end of the over.

Uganda were 251 for three after 34 overs when the teams went into a water break, which was brought forward because Owili required treatment.

Rubangakene’s innings came to an end on the last ball of the 36th over when he was bowled for 36 off 56 balls.

That only gave Owili more room to take charge and at 36.6 overs, he became the first Ugandan batter to score a century at the tournament, completing a milestone that had looked increasingly likely as his innings progressed. Owili eventually fell in the 42.3rd over, caught in the deep covers for an excellent 132 off 96 balls.

Richard Sohera came in at number six, having also played a key role in Uganda’s opening win over Nigeria. He joined Jackson Asiku at the crease, with the two pushing Uganda towards an imposing total. Asiku was eventually bowled on the fifth ball of the 45th over after making a quick 22 off 18 balls.

Larry Elton Itaagi joined Sohera, and the two finished the innings strongly, Uganda crossed the 400 mark before ending their 50 overs on 410 for six. Sohera remained unbeaten on 32 off 23 balls, while Itaagi finished unbeaten on 28 off just 14 deliveries.

Mozambique never came close to mounting a response and their chase collapsed under the burning Gahanga sun as they were bowled out for just 26 runs.

Hamidu Munigwa led the bowling attack with four wickets for nine runs, while Sohera produced an even more remarkable spell, taking four wickets while conceding just one run.

Itaagi and Asiku also picked up a wicket each.

Uganda therefore sealed a massive 384 run victory, making it two wins from two matches at the tournament.

Owili’s century earned him the Player of the Match award, but the batter was quick to share the credit with those around him.

“I would love to thank my teammates, who helped hit the century, like I wanted, and the coaches too who have done their best to push us all the way. Personally, I hope to reach greater achievements as we fly the Uganda Flag high,” Owili said.

The Baby Cricket Cranes will have a rest day on Tuesday, August 11, before returning to action on Wednesday against Ghana at the IPRC Grounds.

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