Cricket Cranes Open Mumbai Tour with 55-Run Victory Over MCA Colts

The Cricket Cranes began their historic tour of Mumbai with a hard-fought 55-run win over MCA Colts XI on Monday at the PDTSA Oval. Despite a mid-innings stumble, Uganda’s spinners proved decisive in clinching the victory.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Uganda’s openers, Simon Ssesazi and Raghav Dhawan, laid a solid foundation with a 73-run partnership. Ssesazi contributed 49 runs, while Dhawan added 29, helping Uganda navigate the early stages on a pitch expected to favor spin.

However, MCA Colts’ leg-break bowler Satyam Chaudhary disrupted Uganda’s momentum, taking five wickets for 52 runs and ripping through the middle order. Despite the collapse, experienced all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani played a crucial stabilizing role, scoring 51 runs off 54 balls. Contributions from Alpesh Ramjani (27) and Joseph Baguma (24) helped Uganda set a target of 221 before being bowled out in the 46th over.

Chasing the target, MCA Colts were put under immediate pressure by Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Alpesh Ramjani was the star with the ball for Uganda, taking 4 wickets for 40 runs. Henry Ssenyondo and Joseph Baguma chipped in with two wickets each, while paceman Cosmas Kyewuta also impressed with two crucial wickets, including that of the MCA captain.

While Naman Jhawar put up a fight with a defiant 65, Uganda’s bowlers consistently took wickets, preventing MCA Colts from accelerating. The home side was eventually bowled out for 166 in 36.4 overs, giving Uganda a 1-0 lead in the series.

The teams are scheduled to play the second match of the series on Wednesday at the same venue.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/cricket/uganda-spin-past-mca-colts-in-mumbai-opener-5466004