Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Uganda’s U19 national cricket team, the Baby Cricket Cranes, finally found their wings on Tuesday, securing a hard-fought 5-wicket victory against Sierra Leone in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers.
After suffering back-to-back defeats at the start of the tournament, the young Ugandan side showed remarkable composure to chase down Sierra Leone’s modest total of 119 with 122/5 in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final overs.
Captain Gerald Olipa made the crucial decision to bowl first after winning the toss – a move that paid dividends as Uganda’s bowling attack dismantled Sierra Leone’s batting lineup in just 45 overs.
The victory was built on a dominant bowling performance:
- Spinner Ali Balidawa emerged as the destroyer-in-chief with 3 crucial wickets
- Opening bowlers Musa Majid and Aziz Tandya provided excellent support with 2 wickets apiece
- Tight fielding restricted Sierra Leone to a below-par total of 119
In reply, Uganda’s top order showed maturity beyond their years:
- Devansh Patel anchored the innings with a team-high 25 runs
- Captain Gerald Olipa contributed a vital 20 to steady the chase
- Aziz Tandya (18) and Jonathan Nyiiro (11*) saw Uganda home with composure
While the win provides much-needed momentum, Uganda’s path to the World Cup remains steep. Tournament favorites Tanzania currently lead the table with a perfect 6 points after their victory against Namibia.
With only one qualification spot available from the Africa region, Uganda will need near-perfect performances in their remaining matches – and perhaps some favorable results elsewhere – to keep their World Cup dreams alive. BT/3/4/2025
