Matchday 3 Review - 2025 National Men’s 50 Over League
Redemption, Rain and Rivalries: Action Builds Across Divisions
Matchday 3 of the 2025 National Men’s 50 Over League brought relief from the previous week’s washouts, with only one fixture affected by weather. The action returned with renewed energy, surprise upsets, individual brilliance, and low-scoring thrillers - reminding fans why this league remains a vital pulse of Uganda’s cricket calendar.
Saturday, April 12 – Division Two
Nile vs Entale – Entebbe Cricket Oval
Match Abandoned – Points Shared
Nile were eager to bounce back when they hosted youthful Entale. But just as the players took to the field, the heavens opened, and a consistent drizzle forced the umpires to abandon the fixture. Both teams walked away with one point apiece.
Note: Due to a waterlogged pitch, Sunday’s Florida fixture was postponed and will be rescheduled.
Sunday, April 13 – Division One
Aboojo vs Rounders – Lugogo Cricket Oval
✅ Aboojo won by 72 runs
Aboojo made it two wins from two as they brushed aside Rounders in commanding fashion. Batting first, they posted 198 in 44.1 overs—thanks to Brian Asaba (38), Fortunate Alijuna (31), and a late charge from Mathew Musinguzi (39). Despite a four-wicket effort from Tembo Zubair, Rounders struggled in the chase. Ronald Puwata offered resistance with a valiant 72, but Musinguzi’s fiery 5-for, backed by Baguma’s three wickets, bundled them out for 126 and sealed the deal for Aboojo.
Player of the Match: Mathew Musinguzi – 39 runs & 5 wickets
Kutchi Tigers vs Avengers – Entebbe Cricket Oval
✅ Kutchi Tigers won by 10 runs
The defending champions opened their account in dramatic style. Batting first, Kutchi crumbled to 66 all out in just 18.1 overs, with Pius Oloka (6 wickets for 18 runs) and Yashvi Joshi (4 wickets for 25 runs) sharing the spoils for Avengers. But in a stunning turnaround, Avengers collapsed in the chase, folding for 56 runs in 27 overs. Ghanshyam Ashani’s five-wicket spell sparked the comeback, supported by Rabadiya Nautam Ramji’s three wickets. New recruit Abraiz Ali Mir’s 18 was the only resistance as Kutchi clawed their way to their first win of the season.
Player of the Match: Ghanshyam Ashani – 14 runs & 5 wickets
Wanderers vs Tornado Bees – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
✅ Tornado Bees won by 9 wickets
Tornado Bees returned to winning ways in style. They dismissed Wanderers for just 122 in 29.3 overs thanks to a clinical bowling display led by Baby Cricket Cranes international Abdul Aziz Tandia (3 for 9), before calmly chasing it down in 16.3 overs. Gerald Olipa (50*) and Anas Baig (42) made light work of the target to seal a resounding nine-wicket win.
Player of the Match: Gerald Olipa Opunu – 50 runs & 1 catch
JACC vs Ceylon Lions – Jinja SS Oval
✅ Ceylon Lions won by 38 runs
Ceylon Lions bounced back impressively after their Matchday 1 setback. Charles Musemeza (53) guided them to 141 before a disciplined bowling effort, led by veteran Frank Nsubuga (3 wickets), bundled out JACC for 103 in 37.5 overs. Juma Miyaji, Ruwan Jayaratne, and Johnson Okabo each chipped in with two wickets apiece to complete the win.
Player of the Match: Juma Miyaji – 28 runs & 2/13
Division Two – Sunday, April 13
GM Sugar vs Aziz Damani Ismaili – GM Sugar Oval, Njeru
✅ GM Sugar won by 4 wickets
GM Sugar are emerging as early frontrunners in Group B. Bowling first, they skittled Ismaili for 101 in 25.5 overs, with Hevin Kanubhai Patel grabbing 4 wickets at an economy of 2.74. In response, GM Sugar comfortably chased down the target in 26.3 overs, sealing their second win in as many games.
Player of the Match: Hevin Kanubhai Patel – 4 wickets for 16 runs & 12*
Standings Snapshot (After Matchday 3)
Division One
- Aboojo – 4 pts (2 wins from 2 matches)
- Kutchi Tigers, Tornado Bees – 2 pts each
- Rounders, Wanderers, Avengers – Yet to register wins
Division Two
Group A: Soroti City CC – 2 pts (1 match)
Group B: GM Sugar – 4 pts (2 matches)
Notable Performances
- 3 Five-Wicket Hauls: Musinguzi (Aboojo), Ashani (Kutchi Tigers), Oloka (Avengers)
- 3 Half Centuries: Puwata (72), Olipa Opunu (50*), Musemeza (53)
The league is heating up, and as weather stabilizes, competition is expected to intensify with teams jostling for dominance in their respective divisions.
Stay tuned for Matchday 4!
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