INDIA 405/5 in 50 overs (Bawa 162*, Raghuvanshi 144 – Murungi 10-0-72-3)UGANDA 79 all out in 19.4 overs (Murungi 34 – Sindhu 4.4-1-19-4, Hangargekar 3-0-8-2)
India completed a mammoth 326-run victory against Uganda, courtesy a sterling all-round show. Two attacking centuries, from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Raj Bawa, drove their side to rarefied air and set up an overwhelming, unassailable total of 405/5 in 50 overs.
Despite the brutal six-hitting from the Indians, the Ugandan bowlers showed plenty of spirit, especially early on. Harnoor Singh, the in-form left-handed opener, was sent back when Brian Asaba held on to a sharp chance at slip.
Pascal Murungi, the right-arm seamer, claimed the priceless wicket of stand-in skipper Nishant Sindhu with a well-directed short delivery.
However, it was the 206-run stand between Raghuvanshi and Bawa that snatched the game away. All the Uganda bowlers received their share of punishment throughout the partnership. The blitzkrieg came to an end when Raghuvanshi top-edged a pull off Yunusu Sowobi to the wicketkeeper.
Bawa continued in aggressive fashion, crossing the 150 threshold in the 47th over. Another two wickets for Murungi ever so slightly pulled things back, but a lot of the damage had been dealt previously.
It was always going to be beyond a herculean task to chase down such a big target. The Uganda innings got off to a nightmarish start when Isaac Ategeka had to retire hurt in the first over.
Thereafter, the Indian dominance continued to pile on, as Rajvardhan Hangargekar accounted for the first two wickets. Left-arm spinner Sindhu ran through most of the middle order and claimed an excellent four-wicket haul.
Murungi’s reasonably good returns were topped off with a well-compiled 34 from 45, but that was only one of two double-digit scores in an innings that folded just inside 20 overs.
Despite the heavy defeat, this tournament has been a handy experience for an African Associate team like Uganda. They gave both South Africa and Ireland a good run for their money with a determined bowling display, but their batting was the Achilles heel throughout.
Uganda are now set to take part in the plate quarterfinals, with their next match against the United Arab Emirates tomorrow.
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