By Innocent Ndawula
ICC WCL DIVISION III IN MUSCAT, OMAN
RESULTS - NOVEMBER 15
Game Nine
Singapore 204 all out in 49.4 overs
Uganda 141 all out in 42 overs
Singapore won by 63 runs (with 48 balls remaining)
Man of Match: Chetan Suryawanshi of Singapore (57 off 61 & 1/11 in 5 overs)
Game 10
USA 230 for 8 wickets in 50 overs
Denmark 214 all out in 49.3 overs
USA won by 16 runs (with three balls to spare)
Man of Match: Aaron Jones of USA (78 off 99)
FIXTURES - NOVEMBER 16
Kenya vs. Singapore, OCA Turf 2
Oman vs. USA, OCA Turf 1
*All matches start at 8.30am Ugandan time.
TABLE STANDINGS AFTER DAY SEVEN
Team P W L Pts NRR
USA 3 3 0 6 1.520
Oman 3 3 0 6 0.613
Singapore 3 2 1 4 0.749
Uganda 4 1 3 2 -0.415
Kenya 3 1 2 2 -1.176
Denmark 4 0 4 0 -0.923
Kenneth Waiswa was only flying crane as the Cricket Cranes fell to Singapore by 63 runs in their fourth rubber at the on-going International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division III showpiece in Muscat, Oman.
The result means that Uganda are forthwith out of contention for one of the two places at stake for progressing to the Division II event scheduled for April 18-28 in Windhoek, Namibia after succumbing to their third.
But Waiswa did more that acquaint himself in the face of adversity. The 20 year-old, often described as the future of the Ugandan cricket and gifted with enviable skill levels and maturity of the game only likened to those of enigmatic Kenneth Kamyuka, introduced himself to the big stage by scoring his first international half century.
The fair crowd at the Oman Cricket Academy (OCA) Turf Oval 1 in Al Amarat Stadium got a first-hand glimpse of the immensely talented Jinja-bred youngster strutting out his stuff as he single-handely tried to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Inspired by Kamyuka
Walking to bat at No.8 with Uganda reeling on 35 for 6 after 17 overs, the boy who dons No. 8 on his national jersey, constructed an super innings of controlled aggression littered with 10 boundaries (eight fours and two sixes).
“I was confident of winning the game for my country but I unfortunately ran out of partners,” said the affable all-rounder, drips of sweat rolling down his arms and face, soon after the game.
“I kept believing with every sweet connection to the boundary ropes and I have to confess that I was being inspired by Kenneth Kamyuka’s unbeaten 100 in 2001 against Malaysia. But I am still thankful to God for my first international 50. It is always good to score runs for my country and hopefully I can make it a habit.”
Uganda needed 205 for victory aftter Singapore set chasing 204, but Uganda run out of resources on 141 in 42 overs.
The loss left Uganda rooted in fourth on the log with just two points - attained in the clinical five-wicket win over Denmark last Friday - and with just one more match to play against the hosts Oman on Sunday.
“Especially me. I was supposed to lead from the front since I am the opening batsman. But all the batsmen didn’t come to the party when the team needed them to rise to the occasion. But so many other things that I am not allowed to talk about didn’t go our way. It has been really tough for us since we came here both on and off the field.”
Singapore opening bowler Janak Prakash (3/20) and Amjad Mahboob (2/26) were the main architects of the Asian side’s second win in the tournament.
Early joy
Uganda won the toss and chose to field first – a decision that appeared to pay off handsomely when they took three quick wickets to leave Singapore on 36/3.
Aritra Dutta (24) was the only top-order batsman to have any joy as Uganda’s Frank Nsubuga (2/16) helped himself to a couple of early wickets with his right-arm off-breaks.
But the middle order then came to the fore with Singapore Captain Chetan Suryawanshi (57) was Man Of Match and Manpreet Singh (59) both hitting half-centuries as Singapore finished on 204 – two balls short of finishing their 50 overs.
Riazat Ali Shah (3-41), Deus Muhumuza (3-46), Frank Nsubuga (2-16), Kenneth Waiswa (1-28 and Charles Waiswa (1-28) were the pick of the bowlers for Uganda, as Singapore struggled early on.
But Uganda, too, got off to the worst possible start in their reply.
When skipper Mukasa and Arnold Otwani both lost their wickets without scoring and where quickly followed into the dugout by vice captain Brian Masaba for as Uganda were left on 21/5 and the game was there and then over as a contest.
In the last tie against Oman on Sunday, Uganda will look to through the kitchen sink at the opposition as they aim to end this forgettable campaign by restoring some dented pride.
