Olipa powers Cricket Cranes past Zambia

• Uganda 195/6 in 20 Overs
• Zambia 108 all out in 17.3 Overs
• Uganda won by 87 runs

Gerald Olipa smashed 82 off 42 balls to inspire Uganda’s Cricket Cranes to an 87-run victory over Zambia in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C at NCF Oval 1 in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olipa’s explosive knock, which included five fours and seven sixes, lifted Uganda to 195 for six in 20 overs after captain Riazat Ali Shah won the toss and elected to bat first.

The right-hander struck at 195.23, taking charge of the innings after Uganda lost early wickets and ensuring the Cricket Cranes set Zambia a challenging target of 196.

Uganda lost Robinson Obuya for one in the opening over, but Raghav Dhawan and Riazat steadied the innings. Dhawan made 23 off 16 balls, including two fours and a six, before falling at 45 for two in the fifth over.

Riazat then added momentum with 38 off 20 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six before his dismissal left Uganda at 73 for three in 7.3 overs.

That brought Olipa into greater focus. He kept the scoreboard moving and found the boundary regularly, putting pressure on Zambia’s bowlers throughout his innings.

Sumeet Verma offered support with 21 off 20 balls, including a four, before departing with Uganda at 125 for four in the 14th over. Alpesh Ramjani added 10 off 14 deliveries, but his dismissal at 182 for six left the lower order to finish the job.

Olipa eventually fell for 82 at 181 for five in the 19th over, having provided the innings with its biggest contribution.

Kenneth Waiswa remained unbeaten on three, while Juma Miyagi gave Uganda a late boost with an unbeaten 11 off just three balls, striking a four and a six to push the total to 195 for six.

Zambia’s Joshep Zulu and Ismail Kara took two wickets apiece, while Robert Lungu and Soyeb Pendi claimed one each. Ayaz Dadabhai and Javid Patel went wicketless.

Miyagi, Baguma lead the defence

Zambia’s chase never gathered momentum as Uganda struck early and kept taking wickets.

Miyagi removed wicketkeeper Shadreck Malama for a five-ball duck in the opening over. Baguma then dismissed Ismail Kara for a first-ball duck after Lungu had scored 14 off 15 balls.

Joyeb Chand briefly threatened to revive the chase with 38 off 28 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes. Jakir Patel added 23 off 23 balls, hitting three sixes, but their efforts were not enough to keep Zambia in contention.

Baguma proved particularly effective, taking four wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Miyagi claimed three for 17 in three overs, while Ramjani picked up two wickets for just 13 runs in four overs.

Kasaija took the remaining wicket, finishing with one for 16 in 3.3 overs. Riazat bowled two overs for nine runs without a wicket, while Waiswa conceded nine runs in his only over.

Zambia slipped to 30 for three before Chand and Patel attempted to rebuild. Patel fell at 71 for four in the 11th over, triggering another collapse that saw Zambia lose four wickets for 17 runs.

At 88 for seven, the chase was all but over. Chand departed at 91 for eight, and Zambia’s remaining batters offered little resistance.

Captain Javid Patel stayed unbeaten on seven off 12 balls, while Zulu made 11 off 10 deliveries, including a four and a six. Pendi was the final wicket to fall, dismissed by Kasaija for a duck as Zambia were bowled out for 108 in 17.3 overs.

The 87-run victory gives Uganda a strong start to their campaign as they pursue qualification for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The Cricket Cranes will face Lesotho in their second match on Wednesday Afternoon. Only the top two sides and the end of the round-robin will progress to the Africa qualifier.

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