Harare – September 24. The Cricket Cranes rounded off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier warm-up matches with a morale-boosting 7-wicket win against Malawi at the Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare this evening.
After back-to-back defeats in practice games against the SuperSport Titans (4 wickets) and Namibia (93 runs), Uganda needed a positive result to steady confidence before the tournament proper. They delivered with an all-round performance that saw them dismiss Malawi for just 67 runs in 15.3 overs, thanks to finger spinner Joseph Baguma’s four wickets for 18 runs – including a superb hattrick, full of mixed variations, in the 11th over. Dinesh Nakrani added two wickets, while skipper Riazat Ali Shah and his bowling unit chipped in with disciplined spells.
In response, opener Raghav Dhawan anchored the chase with an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls, carrying Uganda to 69/3 in 7.3 overs despite a couple of quick wickets in the middle. Robinson Obuya (12 off 5) gave the innings a flying start before Dhawan applied the finishing touches.
In a show of sportsmanship, Malawi allowed Uganda to bat out their full 20 overs, giving the Cranes a valuable middle stint where Alpesh Ramjani (50 retired), Riazat Shah (40 retired), and Cyrus Kakuru (20)* gained confidence ahead of the main event. Uganda closed on 188/7 in 20 overs in the extended exercise.
Head coach Abhay Sharma praised the effort, noting Baguma’s continued rise and the batsmen’s use of the opportunity to find form. Baguma himself reaffirmed his readiness to “repay the selectors’ faith whenever given a chance,” while wicketkeeper-batsman Kakuru described the win as “morale-lifting after two tough results.”
The Cricket Cranes now turn their attention to the tournament opener against hosts and favourites Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday, September 26, at 2:50 pm (EAT).
Results – Practice Match – Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare – September 24 Sept 2025
Malawi: 67 all out in 15.3 overs (Baguma 4/18) | Uganda: 69/3 in 7.3 overs (Dhawan 45*)
Uganda won by 7 wickets
Next Fixture – Tournament Opener – Friday, Sept 26
Uganda vs. Zimbabwe – Harare Sports Club, 2.50pm (EAT)
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