Palghar, May 18. Uganda launched their historic white-ball tour of Mumbai in style with a clinical 55-run victory over MCA Colts XI in the opening 50-over match at the Palghar Dahanu Taluka Sports Association (PDTSA) Oval earlier today.

Time To Play. The toss was a full-blown event graced by several officials from Mumbai Cricket Association and Palghar Dahanu Taluka Sports Association (PDTSA).

The eight-match white-ball tour, comprising four 50-over matches and four T20s, marks a significant milestone in Cricket Uganda’s growing international partnerships as the Cricket Cranes continue preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) Challenge League B in Tanzania this August and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifiers in Nigeria later this year.

The tour is hosted by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), who are expected to formalize a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cricket Uganda later this month — a partnership aimed at enhancing exposure, technical growth and knowledge exchange between the two cricket bodies.

Good omens

On a warm morning at PDTSA Oval, Uganda captain Fred Achelam set the tone from the very beginning. Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a surface expected to increasingly favour spin, Uganda’s openers Simon Ssesazi and Raghav Dhawan negotiated the early movement with discipline and composure.

The pair stitched together a valuable 73-run opening partnership in 16.3 overs, frustrating the MCA Colts attack while laying a strong platform for the middle order. Dhawan was the first to depart after a patient 29 off 45 balls, while Ssesazi narrowly missed a half-century after falling for 49 off 66 deliveries.

Uganda looked comfortably placed at one stage before leg-break bowler Satyam Chaudhary dramatically shifted momentum. The impressive spinner ripped through the middle order with a brilliant five-wicket haul, dismissing Gerald Olipa for a duck before also removing Alpesh Ramjani and Anas Baig (8) in quick succession.

Solid At The Top. Simon Ssesazi (L) and Raghav Dhawan put ona solid 73-run partnership for the opening stand.

Solid reaction

Yet even amid the collapse, Uganda found resolve through experienced all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani. Calm under pressure, Nakrani struck a fighting 51 off 54 balls, combining power and placement to ensure the visitors crossed the 200-run mark under demanding batting conditions.

Ramjani added a brisk 27 while Joseph Baguma chipped in with a useful 24 before Uganda eventually folded for 221 in 45.5 overs after losing their final four wickets for just eight runs. Despite the late collapse, Uganda’s bowlers walked out believing the total was defendable — and they backed that belief emphatically.

Superb bowling

Again, captain Achelam’s tactical awareness stood out. His bowling changes consistently disrupted MCA Colts’ momentum as Uganda’s spin trio tightened the screws through the middle overs.

Necessary Breather. Uganda worked their magic in the field to send MCA Colts tumbling after they had settled in at 112 for 2.

Homeboy Alpesh Ramjani, returning to familiar surroundings where he played during his early development years, delivered a match-winning spell of left-arm spin, finishing with superb figures of 4 for 40 in his full quota of 10 overs.

Fellow left-arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo complemented him beautifully with 2 for 32 while off-spinner Joseph Baguma struck crucial blows at key moments to end with 2 for 38.

MCA Colts captain Pranav Kela threatened to take the game away with a composed 54 off 61 balls while wicketkeeper-batter Naman Jhawar fought valiantly with 65 off 71 deliveries. But Uganda’s bowlers continued to strike at decisive moments whenever the hosts attempted to accelerate.

Paceman Cosmas Kyewuta also impressed with the new ball and in the middle overs, taking 2 for 28, including the key wicket of Kela through a sharp catch by Juma Miyaji at mid-on.

From 112 for 2, MCA Colts slipped steadily under mounting scoreboard pressure and disciplined bowling before eventually being dismissed for 166 in 36.4 overs.

The victory gives Uganda a 1-0 lead in the series and a confident start to what promises to be a challenging but valuable tour in Indian conditions.

Uganda and MCA Colts XI will meet again on Wednesday, May 20, at the same venue — PDTSA Oval — for the second 50-over match of the series.

Good Day In Office. Henry Ssenyondo didn’t star with the bat but tormented the Indian batters with his Slow Left-Arm Orthodox spinners.

MATCH SUMMARY

Uganda XI: 221 all out in 45.5 overs (Dinesh Nakrani 51,  Simon Ssesazi 49, Raghav Dhawan 29 (45),  Alpesh Ramjani 27; Satyam Chaudhary 5/52)

MCA Colts XI: 166 all out in 36.4 overs (Naman Jhawar 65, Pranav Kela 54; Alpesh Ramjani 4/40, Henry Ssenyondo 2/32, Joseph Baguma 2/38, Cosmas Kyewuta 2/28)

Result: Uganda XI won by 55 runs    Series: Uganda lead 1-0

Next Fixture – May 20, 2026 – 50 Overs:

📍 Uganda XI vs MCA Colts XI, PDTSA Oval, Mumbai

#LycaConnectsCricket