Uganda Crush Hong Kong-China In Warm-Up As Baguma Spin A Web in Dar

Uganda Pass Toughest Test Before Challenge League

Uganda rounded off its Challenge League B preparations in style, defeating Hong Kong by 113 runs after battling to 213 on a difficult batting surface before Joseph Baguma's brilliant spell of 5/23 dismantled the chase.

The Cricket Cranes overcame a testing batting surface before unleashing a devastating spin attack to defeat Hong Kong-China by 113 runs in their final ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B warm-up match at the Annadil Burhani Cricket Ground.

Unlike the batting paradise Uganda enjoyed against Tanzania two days earlier, this surface demanded patience, discipline and smart partnerships. The Cricket Cranes responded with maturity, grinding their way to 213 all out before dismissing Hong Kong for just 100 in 31.3 overs.

The victory means Uganda head into Saturday’s Challenge League B opener against Tanzania with back-to-back warm-up wins and growing confidence.

**Reward Of Patience:** Sumeet Verma (58) and Alpesh Ramjani (56) rebuilt Uganda’s innings with a match-defining partnership after early wickets on a challenging batting surface at Annadil Burhani Cricket Ground. Ramjani was there until the end.

Hard-earned runs

Uganda began brightly through Simon Ssesazi’s quick-fire 24 from 17 balls before wickets fell regularly as Hong Kong’s disciplined attack exploited the helpful conditions. The middle order then dug deep.

Sumeet Verma once again led from the front with a composed half ton of 58 from 61 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and one six while expertly rotating the strike.

At the other end, Alpesh Ramjani produced an equally valuable innings of 56 from 102 balls, absorbing pressure and ensuring Uganda continued building despite the difficult conditions. Their partnership rescued Uganda after early setbacks and proved decisive.

**Safe Hands:** Wicketkeeper Fred Achelam (C) celebrates another Hong Kong wicket during Uganda’s clinical bowling display in Dar es Salaam.

Captain Riazat Ali Shah added 15 while useful late contributions from wicket-keeper Fred Achelam (8), Joseph Baguma (9) and Henry Ssenyondo (4) carried Uganda to 213 in 48.2 overs. Hong Kong’s attack shared the wickets, led by spinnings Babar Hayat (3/41 in 10 overs) and Ehsan Khan (2/29 in 9.2 overs), but Uganda believed they had enough runs on a surface increasingly favouring spin.

Baguma spins magic

Hong Kong’s chase never settled after captain Shah (1/12) trapped Martin Coetzee Leg Before Wicket (LBW) for one in only the second over.

Yet Anshuman Rath (33) and Babar Hayat (18) threatened to swing momentum back. The experienced pair added valuable runs while Yasim Murtaza and Mohammad Aizaz Khan looked capable of rebuilding.

**Turning Point:** Hong Kong appeared comfortable before Baguma ripped through the middle order with a sensational spell of finger spin.

Then came Joseph Baguma.

The finger spinner produced a spell full of drift, accuracy and sharp turn, dismissing Rath, Hayat, Murtaza, Shahid Wasif and Nasrulla Rana in a remarkable five-wicket haul. His spell completely transformed the contest.

With Hong Kong suddenly reduced from a competitive position into deep trouble, Henry Ssenyondo tightened the grip with two wickets while Alpesh Ramjani, Sumeet Verma and Riazat Ali Shah each claimed one.

Hong Kong eventually folded for 100 in 31.3 overs.

Baguma finished with magnificent figures of 5/23 from eight overs, while Ssenyondo returned equally miserly figures of 2/15 from 6.3 overs.

**Five-Star Spell:** Joseph Baguma delivered a bowling masterclass, claiming 5/23 as Uganda dismantled Hong Kong by 113 runs ahead of the Challenge League B campaign.

Perfect preparation

More importantly than the result itself, Uganda successfully experienced two completely different surfaces during the warm-up programme.

Against Tanzania they dominated with 314 for 5 on a true batting wicket. Against Hong Kong they showed patience, game awareness and excellent bowling discipline on a surface heavily assisting the spinners.

Those contrasting experiences will prove invaluable when the Cricket Cranes begin their Challenge League B campaign against Tanzania on Saturday at the University of Dar es Salaam.

With confidence high, combinations taking shape and the bowling attack firing collectively, Uganda appears ready for the road towards ODI status and ICC Cricket World Cup qualification.

Winning Walk: Uganda shake hands with the technical team and Hong Kong-China players after completing back-to-back warm-up victories, finishing preparations on a high before the race towards ODI qualification resumes.

PRE-CWC TRI-NATION LIST A WARM-UP TOURNAMENT*

Uganda 213 all out in 48.2 overs (Sumeet Verma 58, Alpesh Ramjani 56, Simon Ssesazi 24; Babar Hayat 3/41, Ehsan Khan 2/29)

Hong Kong 100 all out in 31.3 overs (Anshuman Rath 33, Babar Hayat 18; Joseph Baguma 5/23, Henry Ssenyondo 2/15)

Result: Uganda won by 113 runs

Player of the Match: Joseph Baguma (Uganda) 5/23

NEXT MATCH – AUGUST 8, 2026 – 9.30am

ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B

Uganda vs. Tanzania, Estim Ground – University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

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