Entebbe, Uganda | July 24, 2025 – The Cricket Cranes will look to tighten their grip on top spot in the Pearl of Africa T20 Series table and edge closer to lifting the coveted trophy when they face Kenya again in tomorrow’s eagerly awaited Migingo Derby clash at lakeside Oval in Entebbe.
Uganda remain unbeaten with four wins in as many matches, including a commanding 28-run triumph over Kenya in their first round encounter. Led by in-form skipper Juma Miyaji, who is enjoying a dream start to his tenure, the Cranes will aim to knock Kenya out of title contention with another clinical performance.
“It is important for us not to just win the derby again but we are looking at it like a final of sorts because it helps us to stay in contention for the title,” said Miyaji. “We will try to do the basics right and win small sessions, ball by ball and over by over. Our fans should come out and lend us that 12th man role support. They always pump us up.”
Uganda’s depth has shone through in recent outings, with all-round contributions from Raghav Dhawan, Robinson Obuya, Dinesh Nakrani, and the evergreen Frank Nsubuga, who was Player of the Match last time out with a spellbinding 3 for 10. Seam bowler Cosmas Kyewuta also impressed with 3 for 21 as Uganda restricted Kenya to 129 for 7 while defending 157 for 5.
Cricket Cranes coach Abhay Sharma urged his charges to maintain their hunger and discipline. “The batsmen have done well in this tournament and the bowlers have backed them up by defending runs. Now it is important the guys continue to show the hunger without forgetting their processes,” he said.
Kenya, who have managed just one win in four matches, face a must-win scenario to keep their faint hopes alive. Their experienced campaigners Rakep Patel, Shem Ngoche, and captain Dhiren Gondaria will need to fire in unison to upset Uganda’s dominance. The match promises to be another heated affair with Uganda keen to ensure destiny remains firmly in their hands ahead of their final showdown against tournament favourites United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Team Uganda’s camp is also in high spirits after captain Juma Miyaji (52 wickets) and paceman Cosmas Kyewuta (51 wickets) joined Alpesh Ramjani (91), Dinesh Nakrani (88), Frank Nsubuga (73), and Bilal Hassun (65) in the elite club of players with 50 or more T20I career wickets. Left-arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo remains the only centurion with 118 wickets.
Tomorrow’s Matches – Friday, July 25 – Entebbe Oval
9.30am: Uganda vs. Kenya
1.30pm: Nigeria vs. Namibia A
MOST WICKETS FOR UGANDA IN T20IS
Player Mat Inns Balls Overs Mdns Runs Wkts BBI Ave Econ
H Ssenyondo 90 86 1804 300.4 11 1588 118 5/8 13.45 5.28
AR Ramjani 58 56 1183 197.1 9 929 91 5/17 10.20 4.71
DM Nakrani 75 69 1404 234.0 10 1346 88 6/7 15.29 5.75
F Nsubuga 67 66 1379 229.5 18 1075 73 3/8 14.72 4.67
Bilal Hassun 46 44 844 140.4 6 910 65 4/17 14.00 6.46
J Miyaji 37 36 686 114.2 3 688 52 3/7 13.23 6.01
C Kyewuta 39 39 763 127.1 5 814 51 4/5 15.96 6.40
K Waiswa 73 35 588 98.0 2 700 44 4/14 15.90 7.14
Riazat Ali Shah 72 47 784 130.4 – 905 41 4/12 22.07 6.92
J Baguma 19 18 361 60.1 1 351 27 4/14 13.00 5.83
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