Scores summary — October 20

Uganda 195/6 (20 overs)

Gerald Olipa 82, Riazat Ali Shah 38, Raghav Dhawan 23, Sumeet Verma 21; Ismail Kara 2/40, Joseph Zulu 2/36.

Zambia 108 all out (17.3 overs)

Joyeb Chand 38, Jakir Patel 23, Robert Lungu 14, Joseph Zulu 11; Joseph Baguma 4/44, Juma Miyaji 3/17, Alpesh Ramjani 2/13.

Result: Uganda won by 87 runs.

Uganda made a winning start to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C with an emphatic 87-run victory over Zambia on Tuesday, inspired by Gerald Olipa’s explosive half-century and a strong bowling performance.

The Cricket Cranes posted 195 for six in 20 overs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja before bowling Zambia out for 108 in 17.3 overs.

Uganda now turn their attention to Lesotho, whom they face on Wednesday at 11:30am EAT at NCF Oval 2, Abuja, as they seek a second consecutive victory.

Olipa powers Uganda to 195

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Uganda lost Robinson Obuya for one in the opening over. Raghav Dhawan added 23 off 16 balls before Uganda slipped to 45 for two.

Captain Riazat Ali Shah provided momentum with 38 off 20 deliveries, including five fours and a six, while Sumeet Verma contributed 21 off 20 balls.

Olipa then took charge, smashing 82 off 42 deliveries, with five fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 195.23. The right-hander capitalised on a reprieve when he was dropped on 55 before Ismail Kara bowled him in the 19th over.

Alpesh Ramjani scored 10, while Juma Miyaji struck an unbeaten 11 off three balls to give Uganda a late boost. Kenneth Waiswa remained unbeaten on three as the Cricket Cranes finished on 195 for six.

Bowlers dismantle Zambia

Zambia struggled to sustain their chase, with Joyeb Chand top-scoring with 38 off 28 balls and Jakir Patel adding 23 off 23 deliveries.

Miyaji marked his 50th T20 International appearance with three wickets for 17 runs in three overs. Off-spinner Joseph Baguma claimed four wickets for 44 runs, while Ramjani took two for 13 in four overs. Enock Kasaija added one wicket for 16 runs in 3.3 overs.

Zambia were eventually dismissed for 108 in 17.3 overs, handing Uganda a comfortable 87-run victory.

Despite the commanding result, Uganda will be keen to tighten their bowling discipline after conceding 13 wides. Zambia also collected 66 runs in boundaries, an area the Cricket Cranes will want to address as the competition progresses.

Lesotho next for Uganda

Uganda face Lesotho on Wednesday at 11:30am EAT at NCF Oval 2, Abuja, looking to build on their opening-day performance.

The Cricket Cranes are among six teams competing for a place in the Africa Regional Final, with the top two sides advancing in the qualification pathway towards the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.