Sports 19 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Cricket Cranes Eye Quick Recovery After Namibia A Rout
Uganda's Cricket Cranes suffered an eight-wicket loss in the opening T20 of their Namibia tour, collapsing from a promising start to post 131/9 as Namibia A chased it down in just 13.2 overs. Captain Riazat Ali Shah and the team are focusing on better strike rotation and middle-over discipline for the second match. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/cricket/cranes-seek-response-after-namibia-thump-5397012
Uganda’s Cricket Cranes are determined to bounce back after a disappointing eight-wicket defeat to Namibia A in the first T20 of their tour at HP Oval in Windhoek.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah lost the toss and was put in to bat first. Openers Simon Ssesazi (33) and Robinson Obuya (28) gave Uganda a strong 58-run platform, putting early pressure on the hosts.
However, the innings unraveled once wickets started falling. The middle order struggled, with no one scoring more than 17, as Namibia’s Jan Balt, Dylan Leicher, and Nicol Loftie-Eaton each claimed two wickets. Uganda slumped from 97/4 to 131/9, hampered by 56 dot balls that killed momentum.
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang highlighted the failure to capitalize on the start, noting that dot balls forced risky shots and stalled progress on a batting-friendly pitch.
In the chase, Uganda struck twice early to leave Namibia A at 46/2. But Loftie-Eaton’s explosive unbeaten 72 off 36 balls, supported by Leicher’s 48, saw the hosts cruise to 132/2 in 13.2 overs.
Ali Shah admitted the team lost grip after the powerplay, while Leicher praised the pitch as a ‘road’ that made the chase straightforward.
Looking ahead to the second T20 at the same venue, Ogwang emphasized improving strike rotation and middle-over smarts. Despite the loss, Ali Shah affirmed the squad’s belief in delivering a complete performance.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)