Match Summary:
ACC v Ceylon Lions
Entebbe Cricket Oval
ACC 126 all out
Ceylon Lions 130/4
Ceylon Lions won by 6 wickets
Ceylon Lions started their return to the top flight with a six-wicket win over ACC at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe. Both sides have just returned to the top flight after over four years in Div 2. Ceylon Lions were promoted to the top flight as winners of Div 2 in 2019 while ACC benefited from the restructuring of the league to balance sides in both Div 1 and Div 2.
ACC won the toss and elected to bat 1st, despite losing their top order very early, the middle order was able to anchor the innings for ACC Aggrey Kintu (39) and Mpanuka Hassan (22) helping ACC get to 126 all out. Opening bowler Ivan Baidhu (3/25) set the tone and he got support from Falak Sher (2/17) and Hasith Dilhara (3/26).
In the chase, Falak Sher (38) and Obuya Robinson (29) stepped up at the top of the order leaving little work for Deus Muhumuza (26) to knock off the winning runs for Ceylon Lions as they start life in the top flight. The Div 2 champions in 2019 are one of the favorites for the title and missed the services of national team player Shazad Kamal.
A difficult start for ACC on their return to the top flight and will need to recollect themselves quickly in order to survive the drop.