The Cricket Cranes have suffered their second consecutive defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B final leg, losing to Hong Kong-China by 51 runs in Dar es Salaam.
Hong Kong-China were bowled out for 170 in 50 overs, with Joseph Baguma and Henry Ssenyondo taking three wickets each. Ssenyondo reached a milestone, becoming the first Ugandan to take 50 List A career wickets.
Uganda’s chase got off to a poor start at 2 for 2. Eighteen-year-old Gerald Olipa offered resistance with a fighting 60 off 101 balls, but Uganda were eventually bowled out for 119 in 36.5 overs.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah scored 22, while Baguma made 17, as Uganda struggled to cope with the turning conditions at the TCA Arena.
The defeat comes a day after Uganda lost to Italy by 113 runs, meaning the Cranes have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the final leg of the competition.
The result leaves Uganda on 20 points, level with Italy, while Hong Kong-China have moved to 18 points. Italy are ahead of Uganda on net run rate, making the remaining two matches crucial.
Uganda now face Singapore on Saturday before taking on Bahrain next Tuesday. Two victories would take the Cranes to 24 points and significantly strengthen their chances of advancing to the next stage of the 2027 World Cup qualification pathway.
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang says Uganda must quickly adapt to the conditions and improve their batting if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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