Aziz Damani 338/6 Saudi Islam 102 (80) and Emmanuel Hasahya 91 (109) in 50 0vers beat Premier CC 76/10 Robinson Turinawe 34 (45) in 18.5 overs by 262 runs
Man of Match: Henry Ssenyondo 8/32 in 9.5 overs
Outmatched and uninspired Premier are yet to taste victory in Division one after balking under the weight of 338 runs set by Aziz Damani in their recent Jazz Safari Men’s national league.
To say the least, Premier CC were battered and bettered by Aziz Damani to leave them still searching for their first win since gaining promotion from Division Two last year. The pundits and critics alike did not spare them any ink coming into this game knowing the outcome would be devastating, and devastating it was.
Aziz Damani batted first, scoring a massive 338/6 in 50 overs. This was the first time a team total went past the 300 mark in the league this year. Saud Islam was called upon once again and his 102 runs off just 80 balls were a spectacle with no chances whatsoever in his innings. He sheepishly gifted Premier a go at his dismissal when he tried to go through point, only to be dismissed by the point fielder who was grateful for the chance. On the other end, Emmanuel Hasahya stuck to his guns and was ever impressive notching up 91 in 109 balls after being given the chance, and opened the batting for Damani.
Both Hasahya and Saud pilled on the misery for Premier CC with a standing partnership of over 200 runs. With the two on the crease, every manner of shot was played to the detriment of the Premier bowlers who could not catch a break. This partnership set the platform for the likes of Isanez, Riazat, and both Kenneth and Charles Waiswa to run wild with the bat and propel their team to 338 in the allotted 50 overs.
At the close of the first innings, defeat could visibly be read on the faces of every Premier player. They knew they had a mountain to climb and lacked the proper tools. Robinson Turinawe top scored for Premier with 34 off 45 balls but all in vain. Perhaps, he was simply trying to steady his batting figures to have a standing on the batters’ charts. The rest of his team were easily dismissed by Henry Ssenyondo (8/32 in 9.5 overs) who applied the right amount of pressure to see the Premier batters succumb to his bowling treachery.
Premiers joy at gaining promotion has quickly turned into sorrow seeing as they cannot fathom a single win. They will continue on knowing every team in the league will be looking to get maximum points off of them. Will they come out of their slump? Only they can tell.
