Namibia, Kenya and Uganda make bright start to T20 World Cup Africa Final
- Opening day abandoned due to inclement weather in Kampala
- Kenya chase down 105 against Nigeria in 15 over game
- Arnold Otwani smashes 44 of 27 as Uganda see off Botswana
- Namibia restrict Ghana to 91 then coast home in 11 overs
After the opening day of the T20 World Cup Africa Final was abandoned on Sunday, play eventually got underway in Kampala yesterday.
Tournament organisers made the decision to move all fixtures scheduled for 9:30am at Lugogo to 1:50pm at Kyambogo for the rest of the week.
Once the players were able to take the field, Kenya made the early noise, trouncing Nigeria by eight wickets in the opening game.
Kenyan captain, Shem Ngoche took two for 6 in three overs, as the West Africans were restricted to 105 for five in their overs. Only veteran Leke Odeye made an impression, with a run-a-ball 27 for Nigeria. The response from Kenya was brutal; 106 for two from just 12.2 overs.
Alex Obanda got the innings going with 27 from 22 balls, but it was Dhiren Gondaria's punishing 47 not out, from just 31 balls, that settled the match.
Namibia also made a bright start, as they cruised to a nine-wicket triumph over Ghana.
Zhivago Groenewald's three for 20 was key, with only Simon Ateak's 26 providing a foundation for the Black Stars. 91 for seven always looked below par, and Namibia made short work of it.
Stephan Baard clubbed 52 from 34 balls, leading from the front, while Nikolaas Davin's 38 was a handy foil.
In the third game of the day, hosts Uganda showed their mettle with a 52-run victory over Botswana. It was the perfect start to the tournament, with contributions all round.
Arnold Otwani (44) and Hamu Kayondo (30) lifted the hosts to 142 for seven, despite the experienced Karabo Modise snaring three for 18.
In reply, Botswana could never get going, as they were throttled to 90 all out.
Namibia won the toss and chose to bat first, posting 167 against Uganda at Kyambogo this morning.
Kenya face Ghana at Kyambogo in the afternoon while Nigeria take on Botswana at Lugogo.
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Scores in brief
Nigeria v Kenya
Nigeria 105 for seven ( L Odeye 27, S Ngoche two for 6)
Kenya 106 for two (D Gondaria 47 not out, A Obanda 27)
Kenya won by eight wickets
Namibia v Ghana
Ghana 91 for seven (S Ateak 26, Z Groenewald three for 20)
Namibia 92 for one ( S Baard 52, N Davin 38)
Namibia won by nine wickets
Botswana v Uganda
Uganda 142 for seven (A Otwani 44, H Kayondk 30, K Modise three for 18)
Botswana 90 all out (V Balakrishnan 26, F Nsubuga two for 19)
Uganda won by 52 runs
Fixtures
Wednesday 22 May
Kyambogo
9:30am Nigeria vs Ghana
1:50pm Namibia vs Botswana
Lugogo
1:50pm Uganda vs Kenya
Thursday 23 May****
Kyambogo
9:30am Botswana vs Kenya
1:50pm Uganda vs Ghana
Lugogo
1:50am Nigeria vs Namibia
Friday 24 May
Kyambogo
9:30am Ghana vs Botswana
1:50pm Namibia vs Kenya
Lugogo
1:50pm Nigeria vs Uganda