Challengers’ captain expects tough final against Right Guards

Sunday Final: WomenWhite Clouds vs Charity CC 8:30am MenRight Guards vs Challengers 2pm Challengers Cricket Club captain Srinath Vardhinen has admitted that his team will not take lightly the Computer Point T20 final against Right Guards. Right Guards captain Eric Dusingizimana has promised that his team will Challengers a run for their money. / File The two teams faceoff on Sunday at Kicukiro cricket oval in a game that will be preceded by the women’s final between White Clouds and Charity Cricket Club, which starts at 8:30am. Challengers surprised pre-tournament favourites Telugu Royals Cricket Club in the enthralling semi-final last Sunday to win by 2 wickets. They were set a target of 124 which they reached (127 runs) from 18.5 overs for the loss of eight wickets, thanks to the brilliant performance of opening batsman Daniel Ruyange, who produced 4 6 runs not out off 46 balls. Team captain Srinath, who took two wickets in semis, has said the game will be interesting for the fans because both sides, having faced each other many times in the finals of previous competitions, will come to win. “We have played against Right Guards many times in the final, and we hope for a repeat of some of the performances that have seen us beat them to the title previously; nonetheless, we can’t take them lightly,” he admitted. Srinath further noted that, “I expect it to be an interesting final, because whenever Challengers play Right Guards, it’s always a good game of cricket for the fans.” On the other hand, Right Guards, one of the oldest cricket clubs in Rwanda, reached the final after beating Kigali Cricket Club by 5 wickets in the semis. The Guards made 139 runs from 17.5 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Right Guards captain Eric Dusingizimana said, “We are daunted at all about facing Challengers or any team, we believe in our ability.” Since the inauguration of the Computer Point T20 tournament in 2010, Challengers have been the dominant side, winning it thrice in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Meanwhile, defending champions White Clouds will go into the women’s final as the favorites. They booked their ticket to the title game after beating She Guards by 10 wickets in the semifinal. White Clouds have won the tournament for a record four successive years—last year, they defeated archrivals, Queens of Victory, by 9 wickets in the final. Charity CC, bidding to win the tournament for the first time, routed Oasis Cricket Club by 8 wickets in the other semifinal. The winners in both the men and women finals will walk away with a trophy and medals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Challengers’ captain expects tough final against Right Guards