A dramatic round in the CU Men’s 50 Overs League saw Centurion CC and Pak Shaheens CC seal promotion to Division Two after commanding Bronze Category semi-final victories, while Rounders CC were relegated alongside Aboojo CC despite their fight for survival.
A 174-run partnership between debutant Davis Karashani and Brian Mark Masaba transformed the chase, with Karashani scoring a superb 103 off 84 balls and Masaba remaining unbeaten on 62 to steer their side to victory.
GOLD CATEGORY
Ceylon Lions CC vs Aboojo CC – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
Toss: Ceylon Lions won and elected to bat
Ceylon Lions CC: 209/10 (36.0 overs)
Aboojo CC: 186/9 (30.2 overs)
Result: Ceylon Lions CC won by 23 runs
Ceylon Lions edged Aboojo by 23 runs at Serenity Oval Cricket Ground in a result that confirmed Aboojo’s relegation from the CU Men’s 50 Overs League Gold division.
Batting first after winning the toss, Ceylon Lions were bowled out for 209 in 36 overs. Ruwan Jayaratne top-scored with 36, while Pascal Murungi contributed 34 and Player of the Match Mathew Musinguzi remained unbeaten on 24 to guide the innings.
Aboojo’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Innocent Mwebaze taking four wickets and Dan Keith Amani adding three, while Fortunate Alijuna chipped in with two scalps.
In reply, Aboojo started strongly through Amos Ahura (59 off 36) and Ivan Thawithemwira (83 off 66), but regular wickets stalled the chase and they closed on 186/9. The defeat sealed their relegation after a winless season.
Ceylon Lions’ attack held firm at the death, with Mathew Musinguzi starring with a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, while Brighton Muganzi and Ruwan Jayaratne supported with key breakthroughs.
Player of the Match: Mathew Musinguzi
Kutchi Tigers CC vs Rounders CC – Entebbe Cricket Ground
Toss: Rounders CC won and elected to bowl
Kutchi Tigers CC: 152/10 (48.4 overs)
Rounders CC: 91/10 (29.0 overs)
Result: Kutchi Tigers CC won by 61 runs
Kutchi Tigers CC condemned Rounders CC to Division Two with a 61-run victory at Entebbe Cricket Ground, ending Rounders’ survival hopes despite needing a win to stay up.
Batting first, Kutchi Tigers were bowled out for 152 in 48.4 overs. Steven Wabwose top-scored with 33, while Dhansuk Jesani (28) and Mitul Pindoriya (26) added useful contributions.
Rounders’ bowlers shared the wickets, with Eddie Agaba and Calvin Watuwa taking three each, while Sohera Richard and Narinder Singh claimed two apiece.
Chasing 153, Rounders collapsed early to 26/4 and never recovered. Oscar Manishimwe scored 27, while Paul Mulongo added 13, but the innings folded for 91.
Kutchi Tigers’ attack dominated, with Player of the Match Dhansuk Jesani taking three wickets, supported by Mayur Hirani, Steven Wabwose, and others sharing the spoils.
Player of the Match: Dhansuk Jesani
JACC vs Mukono Warriors CC – Jinja SSS Cricket Ground
Toss: JACC won and elected to bat
JACC: 183/9 (50.0 overs)
Mukono Warriors CC: 119/10 (26.5 overs)
Result: JACC won by 64 runs
JACC ended their campaign with a 64-run win over Mukono Warriors CC, who survived relegation only because Rounders lost elsewhere.
Batting first, JACC posted 183/9 in 50 overs. Oyaga Sadam anchored with 40*, Kenneth Waiswa scored 32, and Aaron Kusasira added 22.
Mukono Warriors’ bowlers held their lines, with Hemant Hirani taking 3/16 and others sharing wickets.
In reply, Mukono Warriors were bowled out for 119 in 26.5 overs. Musa Majid Ramathan and Fahad Mutagana scored 27 and 16 respectively, but the chase never gained momentum.
JACC’s bowlers shared the damage, with Player of the Match Isiiko Kenneth taking three wickets in a disciplined display.
Player of the Match: Isiiko Kenneth
BRONZE CATEGORY (SEMI-FINALS)
Kifaru CC vs Centurion CC – Lugogo Cricket Oval
Toss: Centurion CC won and elected to bowl
Kifaru CC: 198/10 (47.2 overs)
Centurion CC: 202/4 (35.5 overs)
Result: Centurion CC won by 6 wickets
Centurion CC secured promotion to Division Two after booking their place in the Bronze final with a six-wicket win over Kifaru CC.
Kifaru posted 198 all out, with Utkarsh Kothari scoring 39 and Devansh Patel adding 28.
Centurion shared the wickets around, with Trevor Bukenya, Rukiriza Emile, and Brian Mark Masaba taking two each.
Chasing 199, Centurion stumbled early at 24/3 before a match-defining 174-run stand between debutant Davis Karashani and Brian Mark Masaba turned the game around.
Karashani starred with a brilliant 103 off 84 balls, while Masaba finished unbeaten on 62 to guide the chase.
Player of the Match: Davis Karashani
Pak Shaheens CC vs Tornado CC – Akbar Baig Cricket Ground
Toss: Tornado CC won and elected to bowl
Pak Shaheens CC: 187/10 (35.2 overs)
Tornado CC: 89/10 (22.5 overs)
Result: Pak Shaheens CC won by 98 runs
Pak Shaheens CC crushed Tornado CC by 98 runs to book their place in the Bronze final and confirm promotion to Division Two, setting up a final clash with Centurion CC.
Batting first, Pak Shaheens posted 187 all out. Sunil Kumar top-scored with 56, while Yasir Malik (40) and Abdul Basit Habib (38) anchored the innings.
Tornado’s bowlers impressed, with Tomas Kochieng and Mwebaze Sulaiman taking four wickets each.
However, the chase collapsed quickly as Tornado were bowled out for 89. Ochaya Amir offered resistance with 31, but regular wickets crushed the effort.
Pak Shaheens’ bowlers dominated, with Bilal Hassan and Raheel Sarwar taking three wickets each.
Player of the Match: Yasir Malik
FINAL WORD
Centurion CC and Pak Shaheens CC sealed promotion to Division Two after dominant Bronze semi-final wins, setting up an all-important final clash between the two sides. In the Gold division, Aboojo CC and Rounders CC were relegated after tough campaigns, while Mukono Warriors CC survived despite defeat thanks to results elsewhere.