Telugu R. (138/10) in 32 overs lost to RG (139/5) in 26.3 overs by 5 wickets

Right Guards cricket club are through to the final of the UAE Exchange & Xpress Money 50-over Premier League after beating Telugu Royal CC by 5 wickets in their semi-finals clash played on Sunday at Kicukiro ground.

Telugu Royals won the toss and opted to bat first, but they got off a false start. Jyothi Basu and Eric Niyomugabo got first ball ducks with successive balls from paceman Mugabe Emmanuel. With figures of zero runs for two wickets in two balls it was going to be very hard for Telugu batsmen to recover.

Led by skipper Shiva Samba, who scored 27 runs, the middle order put on 87 runs together. However, it were tail enders Mitari Ivan (15) and Ramu Morampudi (21) who helped Telugu Royals reach a fair score of 138 runs in 32 overs. The duo had a partnership of 42 runs.

"We put on a small score compared to what we wanted but were determined to defend it,” said Shiva.

Telugu Royals spirit at the start of the second innings was outstanding. Mitari Ivan and Niyomugabo gave no room for Right Guards openers to express themselves.

Eric Dusingizimana (03) and Nicholas Kebba (00) fell to off spin bowler Abdallah Lubega (4/30) and exposed the middle order after just 4 overs.

It was the partnership of Emmanuel Mugabe (60) and Don Mugisha (18 n.o) of 62 runs that helped the defending champions get home in 26.3 overs. Youngster Mugabe, who was named man of match batted with a lot of maturity giving no chance in his inning that included 8 fours.

Afterwards, Right Guards captain Dusingizimana, said, "Its good we won but we need to work on playing more positively against spin.”

Right Guards will face the winner of this weekend’s second semi-finals between Kerala Hunters and Challengers.