KCC captain Zaki eyes more success after T20 victory

All-rounder Don de Dieu Mugisha was the star as Kigali Cricket Club won this year’s V.R NAIDU T20 tournament after beating Telugu Royals in the on Sunday at Kicukiro cricket ground. KCC won by 12 runs after 20 overs.

Monday, March 27, 2017
Kigali Cricket Club players celebrate after being crowned champions of this yearu2019s VR Naidu T20 tourney on Sunday. Pontian Kabeera

All-rounder Don de Dieu Mugisha was the star as Kigali Cricket Club won this year’s V.R NAIDU T20 tournament after beating Telugu Royals in the on Sunday at Kicukiro cricket ground. KCC won by 12 runs after 20 overs.

In the hugely entertaining final watched by a large crowd, Telugu Royals won the toss and elected to bat, making 117 runs all-out.

Telugu opener Azhar scored 34 runs from 20 balls and was ably supported by Eric Ndangamyambi, who made 19 runs off 36 balls. Rishu Arya scored 17 runs in 12 balls while Ivan Mitali scored 11runs in 17 balls.

In reply, KCC chased and reached the 117 runs target set in the allotted 20 overs, hence sending the game into the super over. In the decisive over, KCC scored 18 runs before Telugu managed just 5 runs off sib balls with a loss of one wicket, thus losing the game by 12 runs.

Mugisha scored 16 runs in 23 balls and also took 2 wickets in 2 overs while Augustine Karekezi made 15 runs and took 1 wicket in 4 overs. Asif Kanungo bowled 4 overs and took 1 wicket before making 16 runs.

"I congratulate my teammates for a great performance today, the whole team performed excellent, we really wanted to win this tournament and we’re all delighted to achieve that goal,” said KCC captain Hasan Zaki.

"We’re happy to win this tournament for the first time against one of the most experienced teams in the country and hopefully it is the first of many more trophies that we want to win this season and beyond.”

Meanwhile, Telugu Royals captain, Ram Morumbubi, said, "I congratulate KCC for the victory, it’s a big day for them, they worked hard and in the end they deserved it. It wasn’t to be our day and we can now look forward to the next competition.”

VR NAIDU T20 cricket tournament was inaugurated in Rwanda in 2013 and Challengers Cricket Club won the first four editions. En-route to the final, KCC beat Impala Titans while Telugu overcame defending champions, Challengers.

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