Cricket Cranes Crush Mozambique in Five-Ball Blitz!

The Cricket Cranes dismantled Mozambique for 19 before racing to 23 without loss in five balls in Abuja. Juma Miyaji's career-best 5/7 and Enock Kasaija's 4/4 sealed Uganda's place in the 2027 Africa Regional Final, with Nigeria awaiting in the battle for the qualifier title.

ABUJA, OCTOBER 24. The Cricket Cranes turned up the heat in emphatic fashion earlier today, dismissing Mozambique for 19 before racing to 23 without loss in just five balls to register a second successive 10-wicket victory and secure their place in next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final.

Uganda’s latest demolition at NCF Oval 2 in Abuja followed Friday’s equally emphatic victory over The Gambia, whom they bowled out for 27 before completing the chase in 1.4 overs.

The back-to-back routs underline Uganda’s growing dominance at the six-team qualifier, with the Cranes now turning their attention to Sunday’s decisive showdown against hosts Nigeria as they seek to crown their campaign with the tournament trophy.

Bowling stride
Stump Storm. Miyaji sent five Mozambique batters packing for seven runs in four overs, setting up Uganda’s second successive 10-wicket victory.

Miyaji, Kasaija Run Riot

Juma Miyaji and Enock Kasaija produced career-best T20 International (T20I) bowling figures to dismantle Mozambique’s batting line-up, with Miyaji claiming 5/7 in four overs and Kasaija returning 4/4 in 2.2 overs.

Spinner Alpesh Ramjani took the remaining wicket, conceding just three runs in his solitary over as Mozambique were dismissed for 19 in 7.2 overs.

Seven of Mozambique’s 10 wickets fell to bowled dismissals, highlighting Uganda’s accuracy and relentless pressure. Miyaji accounted for five batters, while Kasaija claimed four in a devastating combined effort.

Miyaji’s outstanding display earned him the Player of the Match award, capping a memorable tournament in which he also reached his 50th T20I cap for Uganda.

“The idea was to bowl straight. Once they missed, I hit. That is why all my wickets were bowled. This has been a very fruitful tournament for me. In the first game, I earned my 50th T20I cap for my country and in my second game today, I picked five for seven,” Miyaji said.

“57 is also my jersey number for me and it’s my lucky omen. We will look to keep the same discipline against Nigeria in the last match tomorrow because we want to win the trophy.”

Miyaji also received the match ball from Nigerian ICC umpire Enesi Habib Amoto following his five-wicket haul.

Enock bowls
Four More. Enock Kasaija claimed a career-best 4/4 in 2.2 overs, combining with Miyaji to leave Mozambique with nowhere to hide.

Uganda Go Top

Uganda’s reply was swift and ruthless. Robinson Obuya smashed an unbeaten 16 off just three deliveries, including a four and two sixes, while Raghav Dhawan contributed an unbeaten seven from two balls, including a six.

The pair propelled victory before Mozambique could mount any resistance. The win lifted Uganda to the top of the six-team standings with eight points from four matches, maintaining a perfect record of four wins from four outings.

Their net run rate surged to 6.5589, moving them ahead of Nigeria’s 6.0127 at the time of the standings update. The hosts had three wins from as many matches and were due to play later on Saturday evening.

With qualification in the bag, the tournament crown is Uganda’s next target.

Robbo
Rapid Fire. Robinson Obuya smashed an unbeaten 16 off three balls as Uganda completed their five-ball chase in devastating fashion.

Nigeria Final Hurdle

The Cricket Cranes face hosts Nigeria at NCF Oval 1 tomorrow – Sunday October 25 – in a high-stakes final fixture that offers Uganda an opportunity to finish the campaign with the trophy.

Both sides entered the final round unbeaten, setting up a compelling contest between the tournament’s two leading teams. Uganda will look to carry their devastating bowling form and explosive batting into the encounter as they aim to complete their Abuja assignment on a winning note.

Rag
Quick Flick. Raghav Dhawan’s unbeaten seven off two balls, including a six, helped Uganda race past Mozambique’s total in just five deliveries.

ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA SUB-REGIONAL QUALIFIER C

Scores Summary – October 24

Mozambique 19 all out (7.2 overs)

Joao Hou 4, Lourenco Salomone 4, Jose Bulele 3, Agostinho Navicha 2; Juma Miyaji 5/7, Enock Kasaija 4/4, Alpesh Ramjani 1/3.

Uganda 23/0 (0.5 overs)

Robinson Obuya 16, Raghav Dhawan 7**

Uganda won by 10 wickets

Player of the Match: Juma Miyaji of Uganda

Milestones: Juma Miyaji recorded career-best T20I bowling figures of 5/7, while Enock Kasaija also registered career-best figures of 4/4.

NEXT FIXTURE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

Uganda vs Nigeria — 3:50pm EAT

Moshood Abiola National Stadium, NCF Oval 1, Abuja

Prize Prize
One For Keeps. Umpire Enesi Habib Amoto presents the match all to Juma Miyaji after the Ugandan bowler claimed five wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs.

POINTS TABLE STANDINGS

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C

Team                          P          W         L          NR       Pts       NRR

Uganda                     4          4          0          0          8          +6.5589

Nigeria                       3          3          0          0          6          +6.0127

Zambia                       3          1          2          0          2          -0.7521

Lesotho                      3          1          2          0          2          -0.9247

Mozambique            4          1          3          0          2          -3.7309

The Gambia              3          0          3          0          0          -6.3620

NB:  Standings reflect the supplied table before Nigeria’s Saturday fixture.