2025 UCA National Men’s 50-Over League
June 2, 2025 – Matchday Nine delivered compelling cricket across divisions, headlined by Joshi Yashashvi’s elegant ton, a clinical return to form for defending champions Kutchi Tigers, and continued unbeaten runs for Mukono Warriors and Soroti City in Division II.
DIVISION I – PREMIERSHIP
Sunday, June 1
Wanderers vs Avengers – Lugogo Cricket Oval
Avengers won by 7 wickets
At Lugogo, Wanderers Cricket Club posted a competitive 250/8 in their allotted 50 overs, led by a brisk 70 from skipper Davis Karashani and a measured 64 from Abdul Basit Habib. The pair steadied the middle overs after early pressure, but the total proved below par on a flat surface.
Avengers CC responded with a commanding batting performance. Joshi Yashashvi played the innings of the weekend, compiling a composed century (100 off 98 balls) that included fluent stroke play and intelligent placement. He shared a match-winning 141-run stand with Abraiz Mir Ali (62), which broke Wanderers’ resistance. The bowlers, particularly Abrar Ul Haq, who claimed two wickets, toiled in vain as Avengers coasted to 252/3 in 40.4 overs. Joshi’s all-round contribution (1/39) earned him a deserved Player of the Match award.
Player of the Match: Yashashvi Joshi – 100 (98 balls) & 1/39
Kutchi Tigers vs Tornado Bee – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
Kutchi Tigers won by 54 runs
At Serenity Oval, defending champions Kutchi Tigers returned to winning ways with a clinical 54-run triumph over Tornado Bee. Batting first, they posted 218/9 in 42 overs, with a resilient 74 from Mitul Pindoriya, supported by valuable knocks from Hasin Ashani and Alpesh Hirani.
Tornado Bees made a steady start in reply, but the innings unraveled quickly. Despite Roger Mukasa’s 41 and Jonathan Ssebanja’s 30, the middle order collapsed under pressure. Alpesh Hirani starred with the ball, taking 4/20, while Vekariya Kush claimed 3 wickets to rip through the tail.
The win reasserted Kutchi’s pedigree and steadied their campaign after recent stumbles.
Player of the Match: Alpesh Hirani – 27* & 4/20
Aboojo vs Ceylon Lions – Entebbe Cricket Oval (Live Streamed)
Ceylon Lions won by 2 wickets (DLS Method)
Ceylon Lions edged past Aboojo CC in a tense, rain-affected Division One clash, winning by 2 wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Aboojo, failed to ride the momentum and were bundled out for 120 in 30.2 overs. Pascal Murungi’s brisk 39 was the lone highlight as Brighton Muganzi tore through the middle order with a superb spell of 4/17.
In reply, Lions were in a tricky chase but kept their nerve. Anchored by Juma Miyaji’s unbeaten 30, the Lions crossed the revised target of 120 in 29.1 overs, finishing on 124/8. Muganzi’s all-round effort proved decisive in a hard-fought victory that keeps Ceylon Lions on track with 11 points.
Player of the Match: Brighton Muganzi – 4/17 (6 overs)
JACC vs Rounders – Jinja SS Cricket Oval
JACC won by 81 runs
In a high-stakes Jinja derby, Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC) completed a season double over local rivals Rounders CC with a commanding 81-run win at the Jinja SS Oval.
JACC put up a competitive 192 all out in 48.4 overs, led by Paul Mulongo’s fluent 65 and a steady 46 from Richard Sohera. Rounders, still reeling from last weekend’s defeat to Wanderers, faltered yet again in their chase. Kenneth Waiswa delivered a fiery spell, claiming 5/26 in 9.2 overs, dismantling Rounders for just 111 in 33.2 overs. Eddie Agaba provided ample support with 3 wickets, sealing JACC’s dominance in the derby and strengthening their title push.
Player of the Match: Kenneth Waiswa – 5/26 (9.2 overs)
DIVISION II – CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, May 31
KC Budo vs Jinja SS – Jinja SS Cricket Oval
KC Budo won by 134 runs
KC Budo CC produced a clinical performance in Division Two Group A action, thumping hosts Jinja SS CC by 134 runs in a one-sided affair at the Jinja SS Oval. Batting first, Budo posted 191 in 35 overs, built around a blistering 51 off 31 balls from Robert Owili. The total proved more than sufficient as Budo’s bowlers turned the screws in style.
Jinja SS never got going in the chase and were bowled out for a paltry 57 in 25.3 overs. The trio of Allan Ssemakula (3/13), Balidawa Ali (3/12), and Leon Kigozi (3/19) ripped through the lineup, leaving no room for resistance. The emphatic win puts KC Budo right back in the qualification race.
Player of the Match: Allan Ssemakula – 3/13 (7.3 overs) & 26 runs
Sunday, June 1
GM Sugar vs Mukono Warriors – GM Sugar Oval
GM Sugar won by 118 runs
At their home ground in Lugazi, GM Sugar delivered a crushing 118-run victory over Mukono Warriors in a one-sided Division Two Group B encounter. The hosts posted 231 all out in 44 overs. Pramit Harishbhai Patel anchored the innings with a composed 41, while Hevin Kanubhai Patel chipped in 33. The Warriors’ bowlers struggled to contain, as GM Sugar built a defendable total.
In reply, Mukono Warriors faltered early and never recovered. The innings was torn apart by a devastating spell from Karan Prakashbhai Patel, who bagged 5 wickets for just 14 runs. His fiery effort was well-supported by Pramit and Nimesh Kumar Bhupeshbhai Patel, who picked up crucial breakthroughs to complete the rout. The emphatic win cements GM Sugar’s growing dominance in the group, while Karan's all-round display rightly earned him top honours.
Player of the Match: Karan Prakashbhai Patel – 5/14 (7.2 overs)
Nile vs Patidar – Florida Oval
Nile won by 68 runs
At Florida Oval, Nile CC produced a clinical all-round display to secure a 68-run win over Patidar Samaj in a crucial Group A Division Two encounter—moving them up to second on the table.
Nile were bowled out for 150 in 32.5 overs. The innings was anchored by Robert Ajuna’s 37, Isa Kilaama (22) and Jimson Wankona (23). Patidar’s Naimesh Patel claimed 4/34 to limit the damage.
In reply, Patidar crumbled and were dismissed for just 82 in 21.2 overs. Wankona tore through the middle order with 5 for 21 from 7 overs. Nile’s bowling unit remained disciplined throughout.
Player of the Match: Jimson Wankona – 5/21 (7 overs) & 23 runs
Standings Snapshot (After Matchday 9)
Division One – Premiership
- Ceylon Lions & Kutchi Tigers – 11 pts (7 matches)
Division Two – Championship
- Group A: Soroti City – 6 pts (4 matches), Nile – 5 pts (4 matches)
- Group B: GM Sugar – 8 pts (4 matches), Mukono Warriors – 5 pts (4 matches)
Notable Performances – Matchday 9
Batting Highlights
- Yashashvi Joshi (Avengers) – 100 (98 balls), classy anchor role
- Mitul Pindoriya (Kutchi Tigers) – 74, vital top-order effort
- Davis Karashani (Wanderers) – 70, solid half century – in vain.
- Paul Mulongo (JACC) – 65, fluent knock to help build innings.
- Robert Owili (KC Budo) – 51 off 31 balls, quick half-ton to post defendable score
Bowling Highlights
- Kenneth Waiswa (JACC) – 5/26, a fiery game-winning spell
- Brighton Muganzi (Ceylon Lions) – 4/17, back-to-back Player of Match Award winner
- Alpesh Hirani (Kutchi Tigers) – 4/20, match-turning effort
- Jimson Wankona (Nile) – 5/21 & 23 runs, superb all-round effort
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