Kigali, Rwanda | August 15, 2026
The Baby Cricket Cranes completed a perfect campaign at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier, defeating hosts Rwanda U19 by five wickets in a low-scoring thriller at the Gahanga International Stadium to win the tournament unbeaten.
Uganda successfully chased down Rwanda 89 reaching the target in 19.1 overs to seal their fifth consecutive victory and finish the tournament with a perfect record.
Match Summary – Game 5
Rwanda U19: 89 all out in 28.4 overs
Uganda U19: 90/5 in 19.1 overs
Result: Uganda U19 won by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Jackson Asiku
Uganda won the toss and opted to field first, making two changes to the side that defeated Sierra Leone, with Larry Elton Itaagi and Felix Ochan coming into the team for Kenneth Isiiko and Kassimu Adam.
Rwanda struggled against Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals after being reduced to 89 all out in 28.4 overs.
Jackson Asiku was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/23 from nine overs, while Larry Elton Itaagi returned 3/17 from 6.4 overs.
Rwanda’s Eric Hagenimana and Fabrice Kwizera provided some resistance, but the hosts could not build a substantial partnership as Uganda kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Chasing 90 for victory, Uganda also found themselves in early trouble before recovering to complete the five-wicket win.
The victory capped a dominant campaign for the Baby Cricket Cranes, who won all five of their matches.
Uganda began the tournament with a five-wicket victory over Nigeria, before recording a massive 384-run win over Mozambique and a 175-run victory against Ghana.
They then defeated Sierra Leone by 98 runs before overcoming hosts Rwanda by five wickets in the final game.
Reflecting on the tournament, Head Coach Grace Mutyagaba said the young team must now focus on the work ahead, using the lessons from the campaign as they prepare for Division One.
“Being a young team, they can easily be carried away and get excited, and that’s why we lost early wickets. Winning this tournament is just the beginning. We have to go and work and begin preparations for Division One because the ultimate target is winning Division One and going back to the World Cup.”
Mutyagaba added that Uganda would look to work even harder ahead of the next challenge.
“We shall bring everyone, including the lads that we left home. We have to start the work, and we take all the lessons from this tournament as we look forward.”
Player of the Match Jackson Asiku, who played a key role with four wickets, said the team’s ultimate ambition remains a return to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
“Our dream does not end here. This is just the beginning. Our dream is playing in the World Cup.”
The Baby Cricket Cranes now return home as ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 champions, having completed the tournament unbeaten and secured the first step towards their ultimate goal of returning to Division One and qualifying for the World Cup.
“We are grateful to all the fans in Rwanda and back home in Uganda for supporting us. We shall make you proud”
Uganda also excelled through individual brilliance, with Robert Owili emerging as the tournament’s best batter.
