Matchday five of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup at Entebbe Cricket Ground delivered two gripping contests.
The Titans fought to their first tournament win, edging the Warriors by one wicket in a tense morning clash.
In the afternoon, the previously unbeaten Gladiators were toppled by the Blasters, who staged a resilient 24-run victory.
Composure, key partnerships, and standout performances defined a thrilling day of cricket.
Warriors vs Titans – Morning Game
Toss: Titans won the toss and elected to bowl
Warriors: 121/9 in 20 overs
Titans: 122/9 in 19.4 overs
Result: Titans won by 1 wicket
The Titans made full use of the morning conditions at Entebbe, striking early with a fiery opening burst that reduced the Warriors to three wickets down inside the first two overs.
A rebuilding effort was needed, and Ronald Lutaaya provided it with a composed 40 off 34, guiding the side to 35/3 after the powerplay.
The Warriors found brief momentum through Steven Wabwose’s patient 35 off 39 and a useful 19 from Christopher Kidega.
However, consistent breakthroughs—especially from Jaffer Ochaya (2/14) and Enock Kasaija (3/24)—kept the innings in check.
A dropped catch in the ninth over allowed Wabwose to extend his stay, but the Titans wrapped up the innings at 121/9 in 20 overs.
Chasing 122, the Titans’ innings began cautiously.
Amos Ahura fell cheaply in the fourth over, and Conrad Lubwama—despite a classy, match-defining 55 off 48—lost partners regularly.
At 33/2 after six overs and later 77/5 by the 13th, the Titans’ chase grew increasingly tense.
The closing stages were dramatic. With the pressure mounting, the Titans edged toward the target but continued to lose wickets at crucial moments.
The final over, bowled by Steven Wabwose, began with a wicket—Enock Kasaija run out off the first ball—leaving Titans with one wicket in hand.
Despite the tension, Siraje Nsubuga and Jordan Okecho held their nerve, nudging the Titans to 122/9 in 19.4 overs to seal a narrow one-wicket victory.
Player of the Match: Conrad Lubwama
55 off 48 (2 fours, 1 six, SR 114.58)
Blasters vs Gladiators – Afternoon Game
Toss: Gladiators won the toss and elected to bowl
Blasters: 134/7 in 20 overs
Gladiators: 110/8 in 20 overs
Result: Blasters won by 24 runs
The Gladiators’ decision to bowl first brought early success as the Blasters slipped to 13/3 inside the opening three overs and later reached just 41/3 at the end of the powerplay.
With wickets tumbling, a rebuilding effort was urgently needed, and it arrived through a vital 56-run partnership between Kenneth Waiswa and Abraiz Mir Ali.
The pair steadied the innings, lifting the Blasters from their early collapse before Waiswa, playing a captain’s knock, was bowled by Brian Asaba in the 11th over.
Further contributions came through smaller yet important stands—a 19-run partnership between Abong Colline and Tigatola Abubakar, followed by an unbeaten 26-run finish from Colline and Mathew Musinguzi —which carried the Blasters to a competitive 134/7 in 20 overs.
The Gladiators’ chase never truly settled.
Cyrus Kunsa fell for a duck, and although a 21-run partnership between Suleman Sharif and Gerald Olipa offered brief resistance, the early pressure persisted.
A more promising 38-run stand between Brian Asaba and Paul Mulongo moved the Gladiators from 29/3 to 59/4 and kept them in the contest, but once that partnership broke, the innings lost momentum again.
A late 26-run partnership between Dan Keith Amani and Omara Ronald attempted to revive the chase, yet the required rate continued to climb beyond reach.
Consistent breakthroughs from the Blasters, backed by tight spells from Edwin Nuwagaba and Yashashvi Joshi, ensured Gladiators never built sustained momentum and eventually finished on 110/8 in their 20 overs.
Player of the Match: Kenneth Waiswa
34 off 30 (1 four, 2 sixes, SR 113.33)
Summary
The Titans opened their campaign in dramatic style, clinching a last-gasp one-wicket win in the morning match.
In contrast, the afternoon fixture delivered the biggest surprise of the day as the Gladiators, previously unbeaten, suffered their first defeat at the hands of a resilient Blasters side.
Both games highlighted the importance of rebuilding partnerships under pressure and decisive bowling spells, setting the tone for an exciting phase of the MAXX T20 Challenge Cup.
Tournament Highlights After Four Days
- Leading run-scorer: Simon Ssesazi – 186 runs (including tournament-high score of 90)
- Next top scorers: Conrad Lubwama – 102 runs; Ronald Lutaaya – 94 runs; Paul Mulongo – 93 runs; Brian Asaba – 90 runs
- Leading wicket-taker: Baguma Joseph – 11 wickets
- Other top bowlers: Mathew Musinguzi – 8 wickets; Yashashvi Joshi – 8 wickets; Aziz Abdul Tandia – 7 wickets; Kassim Adam – 7 wickets
- Best bowling performance: Aziz Abdul Tandia – 5/4
Across ten matches, players have combined for 2,444 runs, 151 wickets, 158 fours, and 53 sixes, showcasing a mix of explosive batting and disciplined bowling. The tournament has also seen 20 ducks, 7 maidens, 3 four-wicket hauls, 1 five-wicket haul, and even a hat-trick—evidence of the competitive intensity on display.
- Highest team total: Blasters – 170/8
- Lowest team total: Strikers – 82 all out
- Highest individual score: Simon Ssesazi – 90
- Best bowling figures: Aziz Abdul Tandia – 5/4
Tomorrow’s action begins in the morning with the Royals taking on the Titans, promising an exciting start to the day.
In the afternoon, the Strikers face the Warriors, setting up another compelling matchup as teams fight to rise on the leaderboard.
With the competition still wide open, every team remains in contention. Momentum swings, standout performances, and tight finishes have kept fans fully engaged—and the upcoming rounds promise even more fireworks.
Points Table
| Position | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Pts | Net RR |
| 1 | Blasters | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1.4534 |
| 2 | Gladiators | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.326 |
| 3 | Warriors | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.0545 |
| 4 | Royals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.4551 |
| 5 | Titans | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.8926 |
| 6 | Strikers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1.1185 |