Uganda beat Zambia by 87 runs in the opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 in Abuja on 20 October 2026. Olipa Gerald, the player of the match, struck 82 off 42 balls with seven sixes as Uganda posted 195/6 and then bowled Zambia out for 108 in 17.3 overs.
How It Unfolded
Uganda won the toss and chose to bat first. Gerald dominated the innings, hitting five fours and seven sixes in his 82. Riazat Ali Shah added a quick 38 off 20 balls, Raghav Dhawan made 23 off 16 and Sumeet Verma 21 off 20. Juma Miyagi finished with 11 not out from just three balls. For Zambia, Joshep Zulu took 2/36 and Ismail Kara 2/40 from their four overs each, while Robert Lungu (1/21) and Soyeb Pendi (1/39) picked up a wicket apiece.
Chasing 196, Zambia never got close. Joyeb Chand top-scored with 38 off 28 balls, including three sixes, and Jakir Patel made 23 off 23 with three sixes of his own. Lungu added 14 and Zulu 11, but wickets fell steadily. Joseph Baguma led the Uganda attack with 4/44, Miyagi followed his cameo with the bat by taking 3/17 in three overs, and Alpesh Ramjani conceded only 13 runs in four overs for his 2/13. Enock Kasaija wrapped up the innings with 1/16.
The Oracle's Call
The CricMind Oracle locked Uganda as favourites before the toss at 88%, with Zambia at 12%, and the call was correct. Uganda went into the match rated 1295 and 11th in the Oracle's ratings, against Zambia's 975 and 54th. The full Oracle call sets out the factors behind it.
What's Next
After the opening match, the series standing reads Uganda 2, Zambia 0. Follow the rest of the group on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C hub.
Source: Scorecard and the Oracle call.