By Grace Kemigisa
Rain played a key role on Match Day 4 of the ICC CWC Challenge League B, forcing Uganda and Hong Kong, China to share points after their game was abandoned due to unfit ground conditions. Meanwhile, Bahrain edged Singapore in a thrilling two-wicket victory to register their first win of the tournament.
Uganda and Hong Kong, China faced off at the Lugogo Cricket Oval on November 10, where Uganda won the toss and chose to bat first. The Cricket Cranes put on an impressive total of 291/9 in their 50 overs, thanks to standout performances from captain Riazat Ali Shah, who scored a brisk 80 off 66 balls, along with contributions from Robinson Obuya (48 off 68) and Kenneth Waiswa (31 off 69). Cosmas Kyewuta (17 off 6) closed the innings with powerful boundaries that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The second innings began evenly, with both teams playing with intent. However, light showers disrupted play after the powerplay, causing a brief 15-minute delay. Play resumed, but shortly after, a heavy downpour halted the match with Hong Kong at 72/3 in 15.2 overs. Although the rain stopped around 4:33 p.m., the field remained too waterlogged for play, leading to the abandonment of the match.
At the lakeside oval in Entebbe, Bahrain and Singapore battled in a bowler-dominated encounter. Bahrain elected to field, with their bowlers restricting Singapore to 145 all out in 47.4 overs. Sachin Kumar (3/19 off 5.4 overs) and Imran Anwar (2/30 off 8 overs) were the standout performers. Singapore’s Rohan Rangarajan (33 off 53) and Amartya Kaul (24 off 53) held forte with the bat.
In response, Singapore’s bowlers came out strong, dismissing Umer Imitiaz, Asif Ali and Shahbaz Badar cheaply. Despite losing eight wickets by the 41st over, Bahrain's batters held firm reaching 146/8 in 41.4 overs. Captain Haider Ali Butt with 51 not out earned the Player of the Match award. Singapore’s Harsha Bharadwaj (3/38 off 10) and Aahan Achar (2/30 off 10) impressed with the ball.
ICC CWC Challenge League B - Results, Match Day 4
Uganda 291/9, Hong Kong 72/3 (15.2 overs)
Match Abandoned (Unsafe Playing Conditions)
Singapore 145 all out (47.4 overs), Bahrain 146/8 (41.4 overs)
Bahrain won by 2 wickets
Next Fixtures – November 12, 2024, 10 am
Italy vs. Bahrain, Lugogo
Tanzania vs. Hong Kong, China, Entebbe
