Uganda’s cricket team has dented it’s hopes of making it to the play-offs at the on-going Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in Dubai after going down to Italy Sunday afternoon.
Coach Martin Suji’s team, lost by 13 runs to Italy after the Italians had put on 131/7 in the allotted 20 overs. Uganda tried to fight back, but their batsmen were not at their best as the team collapsed at 118 runs in 19.4 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The third loss for the Ugandan team keeps them in fifth place, although Kenya who play later in the day could move above in fifth place. Uganda has so far lost to Scotland, Italy and table leaders Namibia.
David Growley, was the star for Italy with 44 runs, while Charles Sandri picked 26 and AM Northcote 23. Arthur Kyobe’s who was in excellent form against Namibia on Friday only settled for 8 runs after he was run out, while Charles Waiswa and Deus Muhumuza had 25 and 24 runs respectively.,
Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) Chief Executive Officer, Justine Ligyalingi , told URN that this third loss was not good news for the team, but hoped the team could fight back and win the games against Ireland and Kenya.
On Monday, Uganda will line up against the fancied Ireland team.
In the other Group B game played, USA got their first win beating Oman by 30 runs. Only two teams from the total 16 in these qualifiers will qualify for the Twenty 20 World Cup.
