Kenya roll on as Uganda open account

Uganda’s success was built on two individual performances, with Ronak Patel scoring a vital 66 not out from 45 balls.

Patel’s knock was on the back of a fine opening stand by skipper Mukasa and Kayondo, who blazed 58 inside the first five overs. They both scored 42 to set their team on the way to a total of 181 for four.

Patel saw them through to the end of the innings, playing his shots and ensuring that his side put on a testing total for Tanzania. In response, the big wicket was always going to be Abhik Patwa, after his fine start to the tournament.

Crucially, Patwa was dismissed in the very first over of the chase. That was a mortal blow for Tanzania, and they never recovered.

Mohammed Irfan was the destroyer-in-chief, with a devastating spell of four overs, three for just nine runs. Tanzania were restricted to 117 for seven, and that saw Uganda cruise to a victory by 64 runs.

In the second match, Kenya were simply too powerful for hosts Rwanda.

Alex Obanda and Collins Obuya both smashed quick-fire 63s, and there were also two other half-centuries in the top four.

It was too much for the honest, but limited endeavour of Rwanda, as Kenya closed their innings on a mammoth 270 for six. Still, Eric Niyomugabo tried valiantly, going to a stout 43. But wickets were falling around him, and he was one of two to fall to Shem Ngoche in the same over.

Kenya were always going to win, but it was a question of by how much.

Collins Obuya added two wickets to the runs he had scored earlier, and that saw him scoop the man of the match award.

Kenya eventually prevailed by 123 runs, as Rwanda closed on 147 for eight.

Image: ICC website