Uganda’s national cricket team has clinched victory in the ILT20 Continent Cup, held in Kigali last week, with Rwanda finishing in a commendable third place.
The tournament, which featured four teams—Uganda, Nigeria, Botswana, and Rwanda—was part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) monthly ranking system. It brought together some of the best talent in the region to compete for top honors.
In an exciting final, Uganda defeated Nigeria by six wickets. Nigeria won the toss and chose to bat, aiming to set a challenging total. However, Uganda’s bowlers quickly dominated, dismissing all of Nigeria’s players after just 17 overs and three balls, leaving them with a total of only 89 runs.
In response, Uganda showed its strength and composure, surpassing Nigeria’s score with ease in just 17 overs and two balls. By the time Uganda reached 90 runs, they still had six wickets remaining, securing their place as champions.
Riazat Ali Shah and Henry Senyondo were standout players for Uganda, with their performances proving crucial to the team’s success throughout the tournament. Uganda remained unbeaten, winning all 10 of their matches, and they added the ILT20 Continent Cup to their list of achievements. It was a repeat win for Uganda, who also took home the trophy in the previous year, defeating Kenya in the final.
Riazat Ali Shah’s outstanding contribution earned him the title of the tournament’s best player, a well-deserved recognition for his exceptional skills at the international Gahanga Cricket Ground.
For Rwanda, the tournament proved challenging but rewarding. The team secured three wins out of the nine matches they played, finishing with six points and securing third place overall. Botswana rounded out the competition, taking fourth place.
The ILT20 Continent Cup has proven to be a significant event for cricket in the region, providing exciting matches and strengthening the bond between these four countries. As Uganda celebrates its victory, Rwanda’s team can take pride in their strong performance and look ahead to future opportunities to build on their success.
