In a thrilling finale held at Gahanga Cricket Stadium on Saturday, December 14, Ugandan triumphed over Nigeria by 6 wickets to claim the ILT20 Continental Cup. Despite missing out on ticket to the final, Rwanda secured third place in the tournament standings. Uganda’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament, with 10 consecutive wins, cemented their dominance and boosted their ICC rankings. The final match between Uganda and Nigeria lived up to expectations as a thrilling encounter. Nigeria batted first after winning the toss but struggled to build momentum against Uganda’s disciplined bowling attack. With consistent pressure from Uganda’s bowlers, Nigeria was all out for 89 runs in just 17.3 overs. The standout bowler for Uganda was Henry Senyondo, whose precise deliveries dismantled Nigeria's batting lineup, leaving them with a modest total to defend. In response, Uganda’s batting started cautiously, with the team losing four wickets during the chase. However, Riazat Ali Shah delivered a match-winning performance, scoring 42 runs off 49 balls, including three fours and one six. His commanding presence at the crease ensured Uganda’s victory in just 17.2 overs, with six wickets in hand, sealing Uganda's unbeaten streak and earning them the ILT20 Continental Cup title. ALSO READ: Iconic cricketer Eric Dusingizimana retires Tournament analysis The ILT20 Continental Cup was a showcase of Uganda’s cricketing prowess, as they dominated the tournament with a flawless record. Winning all 10 games throughout the tournament, Uganda proved to be the most consistent and formidable team. Their victories were built on a balanced combination of sharp bowling, consistent batting, and strategic gameplay. Players like Riazat Ali Shah and Henry Senyondo stood out with their individual performances, contributing significantly to Uganda’s success. Shah was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final. Nigeria, the runners-up, displayed some moments of brilliance throughout the tournament. They secured four wins in their ten matches, finishing with eight points. Despite losing the final, Nigeria showed promise, particularly in their earlier matches. However, their lack of consistency ultimately prevented them from posing a serious challenge to Uganda in the title clash. Rwanda, the host nation, finished third in the standings. They showed glimpses of potential, securing three wins in nine matches and finishing with six points. Among the standout performers was batsman Oscar Manishimwe, who emerged as the best player for Rwanda.
