Day eight of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup at Entebbe produced two emphatic victories that had a significant impact on the standings.
The Royals returned to winning ways with a convincing win over the Strikers, thanks to a well-crafted half-century from Anas Baig.
The result saw the Royals climb from the bottom of the table to fourth place.
In the afternoon clash, the Blasters asserted their authority against the Warriors to maintain their position at the top of the table, opening up a four-point lead and strengthening their title credentials.
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Royals vs Strikers – Morning Game
Toss: Royals won the toss and elected to bowl
Strikers: 88/8 in 20 overs
Royals: 89/8 in 16.5 overs
Result: Royals won by 2 wickets
The Royals registered a much-needed victory in the morning encounter of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup at Entebbe, edging past the Strikers by two wickets to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
After being put in to bat, the Strikers struggled to build momentum.
Early wickets set them back as Robinson Obuya and Hassan Bagaga were dismissed cheaply, leaving the Strikers at 30/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Robert Ajuna and Timothy Kawanguzi attempted to stabilise the innings, with Kawanguzi top-scoring with 22, but disciplined bowling from the Royals kept the scoring in check.
Regular breakthroughs ensured the Strikers never fully recovered, and they were restricted to 88/8 at the end of their 20 overs.
Chasing a modest target of 89 from 120 balls, the Royals endured a nervy start.
Hamid Munyigwa struck immediately, delivering a wicket maiden in the very first over as Perry Wazombe was trapped lbw, leaving the Royals at 0/1.
However, Anas Baig turned the game on its head with a superb counterattacking innings.
He stitched together a crucial second-wicket partnership of 54 runs, easing the pressure and swinging momentum firmly in the Royals’ favour.
Although Kassim Adam broke the stand in the 9th over, sparking a brief wobble, the damage had already been done.
Wickets fell in clusters thereafter, making the chase tense, but the Royals held their nerve to reach the target at 89/8 in 16.5 overs.
Anas Baig’s match-defining knock of 54 off 37 balls proved decisive and earned him the Player of the Match award, as the Royals sealed a hard-fought and morale-boosting victory.
Player of the Match: Anas Baig
2 catches, 54 off 37 balls
Warriors vs Blasters – Afternoon Game
Toss: Warriors won the toss and elected to bat
Warriors: 116 all out in 19.2 overs
Blasters: 117/4 in 17.5 overs
Result: Blasters won by 6 wickets
The Blasters continued their strong run in the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup with a composed six-wicket victory over the Warriors in the afternoon encounter at Entebbe Cricket Ground.
Batting first, the Warriors were anchored by a fine half-century from Ronald Lutaaya, who top-scored with 50 off 38 balls.
However, he received little sustained support at the other end as wickets fell regularly. The Blasters bowlers shared the spoils, with Pius Oloka picking up three wickets and Abraiz Mir Ali and Mathew Musinguzi providing crucial breakthroughs.
The Warriors were eventually bowled out for 116 in 19.2 overs.
In reply, the Blasters made a positive start, racing to 10 without loss in the first over of the chase.
Simon Ssesazi and Charles Musemeza laid a solid platform before a brief middle-order wobble saw a few quick wickets fall.
Despite this, skipper Kenneth Waiswa held the innings together with a calm and authoritative captain’s knock.
Waiswa batted with maturity and control, ensuring the chase stayed on track while rotating the strike effectively.
With support from Yashashvi Joshi at the other end, the Blasters crossed the line comfortably in 17.5 overs, finishing on 117/4.
Kenneth Waiswa’s all-round influence and composed unbeaten 33 proved decisive, earning him the Player of the Match award as the Blasters sealed another convincing win.
Player of the Match: Kenneth Waiswa
1 wicket, 33* off 32 balls
Tournament Highlights After Day Eight
- Leading run-scorer: Simon Ssesazi (Blasters) – 235 runs
- Leading wicket-taker: Baguma Joseph (Warriors) – 17 wickets
After 16 matches, the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup continues to deliver exciting cricket, with 94 players combining to score 3,691 runs from 3,430 balls. A total of 235 wickets have fallen so far, highlighting the fierce contest between bat and ball. The attacking nature of the tournament is evident in the 228 fours and 71 sixes struck across the competition.
Bowling performances have remained a major feature, with four five-wicket hauls and one hat-trick recorded, underlining the intensity and quality of bowling on display throughout the series.
- Highest team total: Blasters – 170/8
- Lowest team total: Titans – 77/7
- Highest individual score: Simon Ssesazi (Blasters) – 90
- Best bowling figures: Aziz Abdul Tandia (Gladiators) – 5/4
Other Notable Numbers:
- Catches: 120
- Run-outs: 23
As the tournament moves deeper into its decisive stages, the action continues tomorrow with a blockbuster double-header.
Strikers take on Titans in the morning clash, before Royals face Gladiators in the afternoon encounter.
With momentum and pride on the line, closely fought contests are once again expected to define the excitement of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup.
Points Table After Eight Days
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) | |
| 1 | Blasters | 6 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 1.4506 | |
| 2 | Gladiators | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -0.2523 | |
| 3 | Warriors | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0.2551 | |
| 4 | Royals | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.0814 | |
| 5 | Strikers | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.8061 | |
| 6 | Titans | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.91 | |