By Innocent Ndawula

Monday, February 24  2014

IN SUMMARY

Junior Kwebiha had last played competitively while representing Uganda during the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa

KAMPALA.

Five years without playing competitively can take away a lot from many sportsmen. But for Junior Kwebiha, it all seems a minor break as he showed he still has some good innings in him.

The former national skipper was the determining factor in Africa Cricket Club’s (ACC) National Twenty20 League five-wicket win over Mwiri at Lugogo Oval on Saturday. Playing with calmness, Kwebiha made a vital 22 runs off 27 deliveries as ACC chased down the target of 101 runs. “There is no much pressure hitting the ball in the spaces all over the field,” Kwebiha said after his innings which lasted between the seventh and 15th over.

“So it is just really fun to come back and play some good shots with the bat here,” Kwebiha, who had last played against Bermuda at the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa, added.

His innings were fully backed up by opener Barak Turyamwesimira (26 off 22) and Jacob Muddu (17 off 14) and his effort would later see them reach the target with 23 balls to spare. “Kwebiha gave the team some new breath which brought us good momentum and execution today,” ACC skipper Richard Lwamafa, who made 11 off 17, said.

Earlier, Mwiri’s Adonia Waibale and Allan Matovu had each made 22 runs but it could not help heal the side form the damage left by ACC bowlers Emmanuel Odeng (2/14) and Chris Engola (2/11).

Elsewhere at Kyambogo Oval, 2012 winners Tornado defeated Rounders by eight wickets to secure a second win in as many games.

All-rounder Deus Muhumuza’s half-ton of 69 runs and new signing Timothy Kayigwa’s unbeaten knock of 26 helped Frank Nsubuga’s side beat Rounders’ target of 113 runs.