Challengers cricket club’s big win over Nile on the opening weekend of the 2017 National Cricket League, was intended to be a resounding message to their main rivals, Tornado Bees, reports JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
Batsman Arthur Kyobe posted 107 runs on the opening weekend of the new cricket season to help Challengers post 354/6 against Nile’s 137/10.
While Kyobe’s century clearly told of his intentions to get his team off to a flier, it was a message to his friend Roger Mukasa and his Tornado Bees teammates, that Challengers are coming to get them.
Tornado Bees were 2016 league champions, a fourth successive time. But not without controversy. The Bees just nicked it despite Challengers leading the table for three-quarters of the season. That eventual near miss hurt Challengers, and are now determined to plug all possible holes where the Bees could sneak in through the back-door as last season.
Kyobe said, “We thought we had it wrapped up last year. That was a lesson for us. When you have your opponent on the ropes, do not hold any punches. Knock him out. We did not do that when we had the chance last season.”
Challengers, who could have been double champions least year, after winning the T20 Championship, ceded the initiative to the Bees, when they lost to them in the second round. They then had to rely on other teams to stop the Bees. But the Bees proved too strong, as they are expected to be even this time.
With experienced stars like Lawrence Ssematimba, Davis Arinaitwe, Deus Muhumuza and the captain Jeremy Kibukamusoke, the Bees remain formidable.
But Challengers have also beefed up to supplement Ivan Thawithemwira, Hum Kayondo and Henry Ssenyondo, some of the star attractions in their ranks. Bowler Irfan Afridi joined from KICC in the close season. And he has come in with a resume to match.
Afridi was the best bowler last season with 36 wickets in 96.1 overs. He was every batsman’s nightmare. His captain Thawithemwira hopes that Afridi has that form at Challengers, to make it easier and quicker for them to stop the best batsmen in other teams.
No doubt he came with the form. Against Nile, Afridi (no relations to Pakistan’s captain Shahid Afridi despite the striking resemblance), took four wickets. Afridi made it difficult for Nile’s batsmen for long spells. But a consistent spell of the same, is what will make Challengers indefatigable.
Nile’s best batsman Abu Seguya insisted Challengers are the team to beat: “They have strength in depth with many quality players,” said Seguya. But above all, Challengers have hunger for success in a lump-some, something Seguya and company need to acquire to avoid another season in a relegation zone scuffle.
jovi@observer.ug