Aziz Damani got their title defence to a rocky start following their 56 run loss to their junior side Aziz Damani Development in their opening game of the National T20 League on Sunday.
The two sides faced off in a double header at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, but the defending champions were unable to outcompete their B side in the opening game.
Inspired by Roger Mukasa’s 78 runs, Damani Development were merciless both with the bat and the ball in the first game. Brian Masaba (20), Frank Nsubuga (25), Fahad Mutagana (14), Robert Ajuna (13) and Derrick Bacunzi (11) all scored in double figures as Development set the score at 176.
The chase for the seniors didn’t go as planned because by the 11th Over, two wickets were gone including their man with the most runs Simon Ssesazi (40) who, from Mukasa’s ball was caught by Robinson Obuya. They were eventually bowled out in the 16th Over.
Riazat Ali Shah batting at No.4 had put up a fight for his team, but despite scoring 36 from 26 balls, he was through the bowling of Masaba and the safe hands of Bacunzi sent packing, the only wicket that sent the B side into jubilation.
In the second game, Damani A were unforgiving with the ball! Despite putting on board only 112 runs, their attack was ruthless especially at the middle end. Bacunzi, Pius Oloka, Obuya, Robert Ajuna, Edwin Nuwagaba, Henry Senyondo and Anderson Waiswa were all picked between the 9th and the 15th Over, and like their opponents, Development were out with five Overs left.
“It was a good game! I loved the competition exhibited by the two teams,” Jackson Ogwang, the coach of both teams said after the game.
“The development team showed in the first game that they are here for business and Aziz damani A came back with a great response and fighting spirit to secure that win. All in all, our batting as Aziz Damani wasn’t the best So many soft dismissals and poor shot selections.”
It was a similar situation at the Green Oval in Entebbe! After winning the first game by 71 runs, Avengers were unable to record a clean bill as they fell to a Davis Karashani captained side in the second game by four wickets.
Avengers won the toss in the afternoon game, but their set score of 99 was one too low for Sam Walusimbi’s boys who hit 100 inside the 17th Over. Joseph Byaruhanga, (13), Abu Seguya (32), Jeff Serunkuma (29) and Karashani (14) led the charge in that regard, and in the bowling department, Sadam Oyaga, the deserved Player of the Match owned the game with 5 wickets.
Oyaga registered 24 runs in the morning game, but with Hitesh Prajabti’s 37 and Ivan Kakande’s 22, it was not enough to outstage the striking power of Avengers that had Robinson Turinawe lead with 44 runs.
“I credit Avengers for batting well to get to 170 which was always going to be challenging at Entebbe, but great bounce back ability for the team that had a couple of returning players to come go out and execute a great second game to pick up a well deserved win.” Karashani said of the game.
National T20 League Weekend Results
Saturday 01/04/2023
Tornado Bee v Tornado – Lugogo
Game 1:
Tornado Bee 106/8
Tornado 61 all out
Tornado Bee won by 45 runs
Game 2:
Tornado Bee 166/6
Tornado 83 all out
Tornado Bee won by 83 runs
Sunday 02/04/2023
Div 2:
Aziz Damani Ismail v Jinja SSS – Jinja
Game 1:
Aziz Damani Ismail 121/7
Jinja SSS 97 all out
Aziz Damani Ismail won by 24 runs
Game 2:
Aziz Damani Ismail 119/6
Jinja SSS 120/5
Jinja SSS won by 5 wickets
Div 1:
Aziz Damani Development v Aziz Damani – Lugogo
Game 1:
Aziz Damani Development 176/7
Aziz Damani 120/9
Aziz Damani Development won by 56 runs
Game 2:
Aziz Damani 112 all out
Aziz Damani Development 95 all out
Aziz Damani won by 17 runs
Wanderers v Avengers – Entebbe
Game 1:
Avengers 171/7
Wanderers 100/6
Avengers won by 71 runs
Game 2:
Avengers 96 all out
Wanderers 100/6
Wanderers won by 4 wickets
