By Denis Musali
Kaduna State ended their 10-day visit to Uganda on a high by claiming a one-run win against a select side of cricket cranes players. Kaduna State the Nigerian State champions played two T20 game and two ODI games against the training cricket cranes squad.
They were given tough opposition as they faced off with the cricket cranes squad preparing for the World Cricket Challenge League. Coach Steve Tikolo was also given an opportunity to chance to look the 25 man squad before it is cut down to 18.
Game One (T20) Kyambogo Uganda Select 199/8 in 20 overs beat Kaduna State 93/6 in 20 overs by 106 runs.
Uganda blew away the visitors in game one at the University Oval in Kyambogo. However, there were signs that the visitors could cope with the quality that awaits them. Kenneth Waiswa stood out with fluid 49 supported by Arthur Kyobe 31 as the hosts posted a big 199. Richard Agamire (3/18) and Henry Ssenyondo (2/6) were the pick of the bowlers for the Uganda Select side as they picked up an easy win.
Game Two (1st ODI) Kyambogo Uganda Select 137/10 in 50 overs lost to Kaduna State 167/8 in 50 overs in by 40 runs
In the 50 over the visitors were in their element accumulating a game-high 167 led by team Captain Ademola Onikoyi (37) with support from David Agbo (32). Typical of how the Nigerians play of patient cricket and ensuring that they are able to bat their whole quota of 50 overs. The Uganda select side was reckless in the chase losing wickets every time a partnership was taking shape, only Hamu Kayondo (28) and Arnold Otwani (25) had scores to write home about as the visitors claimed their 1st win of the tour by 40 runs.
Game Three (2nd ODI) Lugogo Uganda Select 97/2 in 13.5/50 overs defeated Kaduna State 96/10 in 39 overs by 8 wickets.
With the home side still hurting from the day two-loss the select side picked up a more convincing win in the second ODI. The Nigerians strategy of patience backfired on them even if the managed to bat for over 40 overs they could only score 96 runs. The spin of Henry Ssenyondo (3/23) and Frank Akankwasa (3/14) on the slow Lugogo surface made the difference in the game. Shahzad Kamal (42 not out) and Arthur Kyobe (34) ensured there was no hiccup knocking off the deficit in just 13 overs.
Game Four (2nd T20) Lugogo Uganda Select 78 all out in 19.1/20 overs lost to Kaduna State 79/6 by 1 run.
Kaduna State pulled off a heist defeating the Uganda select side by 1 run. The visitor set a small total of 79 but they were able to reduce the hosts to 3/3 inside 2 overs and Uganda select side failed to recover from that hiccup. Arnold Otwani (35) tried to revive the chase but they ran out of steam in the last over as a win by the visitors meant the series ended in a draw.
Kaduna State left Uganda very satisfied with the tour as they were not only able to compete but they also picked up two amazing wins. For the hosts Uganda there were a lot of questions left unanswered as the training squad failed to dominant their visitors.
Coach Steve Tikolo will realize he has a lot of work to do before the World Challenge League tees off in November.
All Photos By Edgar Hamala.