Robinson Obuya struck a historic unbeaten T20I century as the Cricket Cranes defeated Rwanda by 72 runs at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium on Thursday to book their place in the ILT20 Continent Cup final.
The 25-year-old opener smashed a career-best 118 off just 70 balls, including eight fours and eight sixes, to propel Uganda to 188 for two after they won the toss and elected to bat.
Obuya became only the second Ugandan player to score a T20I century, after Simon Ssesazi, and his knock took his career tally to 1,045 runs, making him the fifth Ugandan to reach the 1,000-run mark.
Uganda then restricted the hosts to 116 for nine in their 20 overs, with Joseph Baguma taking three for 22 and Matthew Musinguzi chipping in with one wicket.
Rwanda's Isaie Niyomugabo remained unbeaten on 52 from 52 balls, but his resistance was not enough as Uganda sealed their sixth victory in seven matches.
The result took Uganda to 12 points, confirming their place in the top two alongside an unbeaten Kenya, who are on 14 points and will provide the opposition in Saturday's final.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Obuya's innings is the greatest in Uganda's T20I history, given the occasion and the opponent.
All-rounder Dinesh Nakrani, captain Riazat Ali Shah, Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi are the other Ugandans in the 1,000-run club.
- Obuya: 118 runs off 70 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes
- Baguma: 3 wickets for 22 runs
- Musinguzi: 1 wicket for 17 runs
- Uganda: 188/2 in 20 overs
- Rwanda: 116/9 in 20 overs
Uganda's win extended their winning record to six victories in the tournament, with the final against Kenya scheduled for Saturday.
How did Obuya reach his century?
Obuya brought up his hundred in emphatic style, reaching the milestone off just 62 balls before accelerating further to finish unbeaten on 118.
His strike rate of 184.21 in the latter overs, alongside Anas Baig's 19 and Charles Musemeza's nine, built the strong platform that Uganda's bowlers defended with ease.
When is the ILT20 Continent Cup final?
The final takes place on Saturday at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali, with Uganda facing Kenya.
Kenya remain unbeaten in the tournament with 14 points from seven matches, while Uganda have 12 points from their seven outings.
Source: Uganda Cricket
