In a tournament that showcased a thrilling mix of youthful promise and veteran leadership, the final of the Lyca Super T20 came down to a classic David vs. Goliath battle. The
Bujjagali Rafters arrived as the formidable, unbeaten favorites, having dominated the group stages.
Sippi Trekkers, a team fueled by spirit and resilience, Winning the toss under gloomy skies, the Rafters’ captain chose to bat first. It was a decision they quickly came to regret. The Trekkers’ bowlers turned up the pressure from the start, setting a grim tone when Judith Nakasaga fell for a duck. Despite 15 extras, the Rafters could only scrape together a paltry total of 66/8 in their 20 overs, a score well below championship standard. Only Immaculate Nakisuyi managed a double-digit score, putting up 12 runs.
The Trekkers’ chase began with cautious confidence. Opener Leila Nalukenge’s steady
19 and a composed, unbeaten 22
from Jimia Abdallah Muhammed had the game seemingly in the bag, cruising at 62/1.
Malisa Ariokot of the Rafters, already named the Best Bowler of the tournament (with 14 wickets) , produced a spell out of a fairytale, taking a sensational
hat-trick en route to a stunning five wickets in one over. The Trekkers instantly crumbled, crashing from
62/1 to 66/6. Ariokot’s final figures of 4-0-12-5 breathed a flicker of hope into the Rafters’ campaign.
Despite the agonizing collapse and a serious case of last-over nerves, the Trekkers held their nerve for that one final trek. They managed to push past the target, completing the chase at
67/6 in 18 overs to win the Lyca Super T20 Final by 4 wickets.
The victory cemented the Sippi Trekkers’ journey, marked by resilience and clutch performances, proving that in a knockout tournament, it’s not how you start, but how you finish.
Winners: Sippi Trekkers
Result in Final: Sippi Trekkers won by 4 wickets
Best Bowler: Malisa Ariokot (Bujjagali Rafters) with 14 Wickets and best figures of 5/12.
Best Batter: Rita Musamali (Itanda Kayakers) with 237 runs and a highest score of 64.
MVP: Immaculate Nakisuyi (Bujjagali Rafters) with 272 points.
Richard Okia, Head of High Performance, reflected on the intense seven-day competition, noting that while the Rafters will rue their final-day collapse, the tournament was a
fantastic week of cricket vital for nurturing young talent and allowing senior players to mentor the next generations
