In their opening match of the ICC World Cup Qualifier Challenge League B second round, Cricket Cranes defeated Bahrain by 52 runs at the Tin Kwong Recreational Ground in Hong Kong. This win helped Uganda regain the top position in the standings, pushing them two points ahead of Italy and Hong Kong.
Bahrain won the toss and chose to bowl first. Uganda’s innings got off to a shaky start with Shrideep Mangela dismissed early for 11. However, Raghav Dhawan played a match-defining knock. His 85 runs off 105 balls, including 11 fours, anchored the innings. Dhawan also built key partnerships, including a 61-run stand with Robinson Obuya (43) and a vital 107-run partnership with captain Riazat Ali Shah (49).
Despite two run-outs and lower-order struggles, Uganda finished at 249/9 in 50 overs, setting a challenging target for Bahrain.
In the chase, Juma Miyaji made an immediate impact, taking three wickets in his first three overs to reduce Bahrain to 21/3. Bahrain fought back with an 114-run stand between Asif Ali (83) and Sohail Ahmed (43), but once Ali was dismissed by Cosmas Kyewuta, Bahrain’s resistance crumbled. Kyewuta, alongside Bilal Hassun (2/42), helped wrap up Bahrain’s innings for 197 in 44.1 overs.
Uganda will take a break and return to action on Monday, February 10, when they face Singapore.
