MATCH Day Four of the Uganda T20 Cup gets underway this Saturday, at various venues across the country.
The Lugogo double header between defending champions Wanderers Cricket Club and Budo Cricket Club heads the day’s fixtures.
Neither side carries the pressure of being labelled favourites, yet their reputation for passionate fans and expressive on-field personalities makes this a must-watch clash.
Budo, led by Allan Ssemakula, head into the fixture as the better-placed side in Group A after their hard-fought victories against SKLPS on the opening weekend. Wanderers, meanwhile, began their title defence with mixed fortunes, winning one and losing one in their double header against Tornado Bees a fortnight ago.
Given Budo’s bright start and Wanderers’ depleted squad, the former will fancy their chances. They will rely heavily on opening bowler Leon Kigozi, top order batter Robert Owilli, spinner Ali Balidawa, and their skipper Ssemakula, who contributes both with bat and ball.
Wanderers, who recently parted ways with their top run getter Perry Wanzombe, will look to Wasim Butt, Abdul Basit Habib, and captain Ivan Kakande to anchor the innings and provide breakthroughs with the ball. The defending champions will also hope that Fred Achellam, the Cricket Cranes wicketkeeper acquired earlier this year, finds form with the bat.
Budo will also be mindful of their next assignment, which will be facing group leaders and tournament favourites, GM Sugar, on Sunday. A win over Wanderers would give them the momentum and confidence they need going into that clash.
GM Sugar, who earned promotion to the top flight last season after winning all their Championship games in the 50-over format, are once again viewed as the team to beat. Despite the presence of heavyweights like Kutchi Tigers and Ceylon Lions, GM remain firm favourites for the title.
Elsewhere on Saturday, last year’s runners-up Rounders will face Nile in a top of the group Group B clash at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, while in Group C, JACC take on Tornado CC at the Jinja Cricket Oval.
Sunday’s fixtures will see Kutchi Tigers, favourites in Group D, meet Mukono Development at the GM Sugar grounds, while Ceylon Lions, who lost their opener to Kutchi, will face Africa Cricket Club.
At the Serenity Oval in Kamengo, Aboojo meet Mukono Warriors, and Avengers take on Jinja SS at the latter’s home ground.
