Kigali – Uganda’s Cricket Cranes produced a strong response against regional rivals Kenya, winning by 47 runs on Friday to finish top of the ILT20 Continent Cup standings and set up a winner-takes-all final today.
Batting first at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Uganda posted 197 for seven. Gerald Olipa led the charge with a powerful 95, striking six fours and eight sixes at a rapid rate. He received useful support from captain Riazat Ali Shah (32) and others as the Cricket Cranes accelerated in the second half of their innings.
Kenya were then restricted to 150 all out in reply. The comprehensive victory levelled the tournament head-to-head between the two sides at one win each and lifted Uganda above Kenya on net run rate. Both teams finished the round-robin stage on 14 points, but Uganda’s superior net run rate of +3.5383 secured them top spot.
The result gives the Cricket Cranes valuable momentum heading into Saturday’s final, also scheduled for Gahanga. Uganda are the two-time defending champions of the Continent Cup and are now chasing a third consecutive title.
The performance comes as part of Uganda’s broader preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier scheduled for later this year in Nigeria. Strong showings against East African opponents have been a key focus for the technical team.
Earlier in the tournament, Uganda recorded convincing wins, including a 72-run victory over hosts Rwanda in which Robinson Obuya scored an unbeaten 118, becoming only the second Ugandan to register a T20 International century.
All attention now turns to today’s final. A third straight Continent Cup title would further strengthen Uganda’s standing in regional cricket and provide an important psychological boost ahead of the next stage of World Cup qualification.
Trending UG will bring you the final result as soon as it is available.