Challengers Cricket Club beat Kigali Warriors CC by 99 runs in the second 50-overs UAE Exchange & Xpress Money Premiership qualifier played on Sunday at Kicukiro cricket ground.

After winning the toss, Challengers captain Srinath Vardhineni opted to bat first, but his team had a shaky start after losing their openers Zaid Khan on the first ball of the innings and Sairam Gopalan in the same over, all to Kigali Warriors’s opening bowler, Eugene Haragirimana.

However, the great batting from Evode Mutuyimana 54 runs and Srinath 79 runs helped Challengers CC to score 221 runs in 40.3 overs. The duo had a partnership of 62 runs.

Deus Muhumuza’s 3 wickets in 8.3 overs was the best bowling figure for Kigali Warriors. Kigali Warriors’ chase was curtailed by the fierce bowling of Ugandan import, Daniel Ruyange.

Ruyange’s mixture of pace and bounce often scared Kigali Warriors’ batsmen and he picked 4 wickets in his allotted 10 overs including bowling out Brian Masaba for 38 runs. Muhumuza’s 39 runs off 49 balls, was the highest score for the Warriors.

Challenger’s win earned them a 1.98 net run rate better than that of Kerala Hunter’s 1.36 which means they get direct entry into the Premiership.

Next weekend, Impala Titans CC will play against Kerala Hunters to decide the second team to qualify for the 50-overs UAE Exchange & Xpress Money Premiership, which will be launched on October 10 at Kicukiro cricket ground, and games will begin the next day.

Meanwhile, the ‘wazee’ game between Abakambwe and Expatriates was held successfully on Saturday. Abakambwe 166/6 in 20 overs beat Expatriates 147/9 in 20 overs by 19 runs.