Uganda Cricket Team on Thursday won the African Cricket Association (ACA) T20 Cup in Benoni, South Africa.
The Cricket Cranes arrived in South Africa on Tuesday, September 15, on a mission to be the 1st winners of the Africa Cup.
Uganda was placed in Group A alongside Botswana, Mozambique, and Ghana with the tournament played in the T20 format and all games hosted at Wilmore Park in Benoni.
Uganda defeated Botswana in their opening game followed up by two more wins against Mozambique and Ghana.
At the end of the tournament, Uganda met fiercest rivals Kenya in a rain-affected semifinal, however, the Cricket Cranes won by 3 wickets in a tense game.
The best was clearly saved for last when Uganda met Tanzania in the final, Tanzania posted 174/5 in their 20 overs and Uganda seemed to be out of their depth until the final 4 overs where Riazat Ali Shah took center stage with a counter-attacking stroke play that saw Uganda chase down the total with two balls to spare.
This means Uganda won all five games in the tournament and took home the trophy for the 1st time.
Uganda is currently ranked 25th in the World. With the win, it will move up in the global T20 rankings after picking up some valuable points from the tournament.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa Amb. Paul Amoru, who witnessed the game said the team exhibited professionalism, resilience and discipline.
He commended their team effort and encouraged them to go all out to carry Uganda’s flag high.
Amb. Amoru saluted the boys saying they had done the country proud. “It was a professional, resilient & disciplined display by our boys. Congratulations!” he remarked.