Robinson Obuya struck an unbeaten century as the Cricket Cranes stormed into the ILT20 Continent Cup final with a 72-run victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
Obuya smashed 118 not out off 70 balls, including eight fours and six sixes, as Uganda posted 188 for two after winning the toss and electing to bat at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.
The century made Obuya only the second Ugandan to score a T20I hundred after Simon Ssesazi.
He also crossed 1,000 T20I runs during the innings, becoming the fifth Ugandan to reach the milestone after Ssesazi, captain Riazat Ali Shah, Roger Mukasa and Dinesh Nakrani.
Gerald Olipa provided the late acceleration on his 20th birthday, scoring an unbeaten 35 off 19 balls, with two fours and three sixes.
Uganda’s bowlers then dismantled Rwanda’s chase, reducing the hosts to 25 for five inside the powerplay.
Cosmas Kyewuta and Joseph Baguma took three wickets each, while Juma Miyagi claimed two for eight in three overs as Rwanda finished on 116 for nine.
Isaie Niyomugabo top-scored for Rwanda with an unbeaten 52.
The victory was Uganda’s sixth in seven matches, taking them to 12 points and confirming their place in the final against unbeaten Kenya.
The Cricket Cranes will face Kenya in the final round-robin match on Friday before meeting the same opponents again in Saturday’s final.
The two matches will also give Uganda valuable preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier in Nigeria.
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