Day Four of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup delivered drama both on and off the field, as rain interruptions disrupted play and tested teams’ resilience.
The Gladiators, the tournament’s only unbeaten side, shone brightest: Aziz Abdul Tandia’s stunning 5/4 spell decimated the Strikers, while Paul Mulongo’s calm, composed innings guided his team to a memorable victory.
Earlier, rain-shortened play affected the Royals’ clash with the Blasters, but they still managed to eke out a hard-fought win, proving that adaptability in tricky conditions can be just as decisive as individual brilliance.
Blasters vs Royals – Morning Game
Toss: Blasters won the toss and elected to bat
Blasters: 116/5 in 17 overs (rain-affected)
Royals: 91/5 in 10.5 overs (D/L method)
Result: Royals won by 5 wickets (D/L)
A light morning drizzle at Entebbe delayed the start, reducing the contest to 18 overs per side, before further interruptions in the first innings cut it to 17 overs, and the Royals’ innings in the second was reduced to 12 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis calculation.
The Blasters’ innings revolved around a calm, controlled knock from Jonathan Ssebanja, who remained unbeaten on 43 off 28 balls (6 fours, SR 146.43).
Brief support came from Anas Baig, who contributed 37 off 30, guiding the side to 116/5 in 17 overs despite tight spells from Mathew Musinguzi (3/17) and Yashashvi Joshi (2/19).
Chasing a rain-revised target of 91 from 12 overs, the Royals started aggressively.
Simon Ssesazi dazzled with 48 off 34 (5 fours, 1 six), while Abraiz Mir Ali added a useful 26 off 20.
Their 42-run partnership off 27 balls set the platform.
The turning point came in the eighth over when Ali Balidawa conceded 16 runs, leaving the Royals needing just 16 from 24 deliveries.
The Royals’ fielding showed some lapses, with multiple chances missed, but Peter Ochen finally held one at cow corner, denying Ssesazi a fifty by just two runs.
Four wickets fell late, but the target was achieved in 10.5 overs at 91/5, giving the Royals a five-wicket (D/L) victory.
Player of the Match: Mathew Musinguzi
3/16 in 4 overs
Strikers vs Gladiators – Afternoon Game
Toss: Gladiators won the toss and elected to bowl
Strikers: 82 all out in 14 overs
Gladiators: 83/6 in 14.1 overs
Result: Gladiators won by 4 wickets
An afternoon shower caused a brief delay, reducing the Strikers–Gladiators clash to 15 overs per side.
The Gladiators’ decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends.
Strikers captain-for-the-day Robinson Obuya played a responsible hand with 33 off 25 (1 four, 2 sixes), supported by opener Fortunate Alijuna’s 25 off 19.
However, once their partnership broke, the innings collapsed from 70/2 to 79/7 by the 13th over.
Edwin Nuwagaba struck in that over, taking a wicket first ball and conceding just one run.
The destruction was completed by Aziz Abdul Tandia, who produced a stunning match-defining spell dismantling the Strikers’ middle and lower order and skittling them for 82 in 14 overs.
Chasing 83, the Gladiators faltered early, slipping to 31/5 under pressure from Sowobi and Munigwa.
Paul Mulongo anchored the innings with a mature 39 off 28 (1 four, 1 six), supported by Edwin Nuwagaba (15) and Jonathan Kizza (9*).
With three runs required in the final over, Mulongo’s boundary to fine leg sealed a four-wicket victory at 83/6 in 14.1 overs.
Player of the Match: Aziz Abdul Tandia
5/4 in 3 overs (1 maiden, econ 1.33)
Tournament Highlights After Four Days
- Leading run-scorer: Simon Ssesazi – 184 runs (including tournament-high score of 90)
- Leading wicket-taker: Mathew Musinguzi – 8 wickets
- Best bowling performance: Aziz Abdul Tandia – 5/4
Across eight matches, teams have combined for 1,957 runs, 118 wickets, 129 fours, and 45 sixes, highlighting both explosive batting and disciplined bowling.
- Highest team total: Blasters – 170/8
- Lowest team total: Strikers – 82 all out
Tomorrow, the action kicks off in the morning as the Warriors take on the Titans, setting the stage for an exciting day of basketball.
Later in the afternoon, the Blasters face the Gladiators, promising another thrilling matchup to close out the day.
The competition remains wide open, with every team still in contention.
Momentum shifts and standout performances have kept fans on the edge of their seats, and the next rounds promise even more fireworks.
Points Table
| Position | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Pts | Net RR |
| 1 | Gladiators | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0.8867 |
| 2 | Blasters | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1.5572 |
| 3 | Warriors | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.1571 |
| 4 | Royals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.4551 |
| 5 | Strikers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1.1185 |
| 6 | Titans | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.4929 |