GM Sugar’s unbeaten run finally came to an end after a dramatic one-run defeat to Tornado Bees in Group A of the Uganda T20 Cup on Sunday.
The side, founded earlier this year, had been enjoying a 13-match winning streak, winning every game on their way to promotion to the top flight of the 50-Over League. They also started their maiden T20 Cup campaign with four straight wins, but Tornado Bees, powered by an inspired opening partnership between Simon Ssesazi and Roger Mukasa, handed them their first-ever loss.
The pair put on a brilliant 122-run stand that guided Tornado Bees to 184 for two in their innings. Mukasa top-scored with 67 off 48 balls, while Ssesazi added 62 off 55, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.
Ssesazi also shone in the field, producing a sharp stumping in the 19.5 over to dismiss Nimeshkumar Bhupeshbhai Patel, and later took part in the run-out of Hetalkumar Chhotubhai Patel, which sealed Tornado’s victory.
GM Sugar bounced back in the afternoon fixture, defeating their opponents by 16 runs, a win that helped them stay top of Group A. They remain in first place only on net run rate, as Wanderers, who also have 10 points, trail closely in second place.
Wanderers claimed both wins in their double-header against SKLPS, tightening the race for the top spot in Group A.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Mukono Warriors delivered a strong response after losing their morning match to Rounders by 15 runs. The Warriors crushed Rounders by 128 runs in the afternoon game.
After posting 179 for 7, thanks to Kalpesh Jeshani’s explosive 71 off 30 balls, the Warriors bowled out Rounders for just 51 runs in 10.4 overs. Despite the heavy defeat, Rounders still lead Group B with 12 points, though they have played four more games than the rest of the teams.
In Group C, Ismaili Community claimed both wins in their double-header against JACC. Although Kenneth Waiswa struck a fine 72 off 53 balls for JACC in the first match, it wasn’t enough to secure victory.
Ismaili’s successful chase was built on a solid team effort from Ali Dishan (30 off 17), Pervaiz Ali (33 off 29), and skipper Riazat Ali Shah, who remained unbeaten on 37 off 27 balls.
The two wins lifted Ismaili Community to third place in Group C with eight points, level with JACC in second, and just six points behind table-toppers Avengers.
