Patidar players. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

It was meant to be Patidar’s day when their captain Nirav Patel won the toss and watched comfortably as his side piled on the runs to reach 150 for 3 in 40 overs.

But Wanderers, led by national skipper Davis Karashani (3/26) and Deus Muhumuza (2/45), got back into game with five late scalps that had Patidar miserably fold for 193 in the allotted 50 overs.

Only Lawrence Ssematimba (54) and Akbar Baig (38) stood firm as Wanderers’ bowlers stole the show in the first innings. Needing less four runs per over, Sam Walusimbi’s troops cantered to 90 runs without loss thanks to Arnold Otwani (55) and Ham Kayondo (30), who denied Patidar’s Emmanuel Isaneez and Charles Waiswa an early breakthrough.

Karashani (28*) and Muhumuza (22*) then rode their luck to help Wanderers cross the line with more than 30 balls to spare. “I cost my team the game,” said Patidar all-rounder Ankit Patel, who failed to shine with the willow and dropped two Karashani catches while on three. Wanderers move to 53 points, seven more than second-placed Tornado whereas Patidar (38) remain third.

By INNOCENT NDAWULA, Daily Monitor