ILT20 raids UG20 ranks as defending champions Ismaili face early test

The ILT20 Africa Continental Cup has robbed several UG20 contenders of key players, leaving defending champions Ismaili Community with a major selection headache as the 2026 tournament gathers pace this weekend.

Ismaili begin their title defence on Sunday against familiar foes Kutchi Tigers at Lugogo Cricket Oval without captain Riazat Ali Shah and new ball bowler Juma Miyagi, both away with the Cricket Cranes in Rwanda.

It is a tough start for the champions and a golden chance for Kutchi to settle an old score. Last season, Ismaili ended Kutchi’s quarterfinal hopes after posting 136/5 at Entebbe Cricket Ground before restricting the Tigers to 122/7 for a 14-run win.

Ismaili went all the way, beating Aboojo by 23 runs in the final. Now they must launch their title defence without two of their biggest weapons, while Kutchi return hungry for revenge.

The clash headlines Group A, which also contains Tornado CC, Tornado Bees, Soroti City CC, Aboojo CC and Kifaru CC.

The national team drain is not limited to Ismaili. Tornado Bees, fresh from winning the 50-Over Division One League and chasing a domestic double, will face Nile Cricket Club at Lugogo on Saturday without Cosmas Kyewuta and Anas Baig, who are also with the Cricket Cranes.

The Bees will be desperate to avoid another painful group stage exit. Last year, they missed the knockouts on net run rate after finishing third in Group A, level on points with Wanderers.

Nile, relegated to the third division after the National 50 Over Cricket League, see the UG20 as an opportunity to rescue their season with silverware.

At Jinja Oval, Mukono Warriors also head into their Group D battle with JACC depleted. Ronald Lutaaya, Fahad Mutagana and Gerald Olipa are all in Rwanda with the Cricket Cranes, while JACC will miss captain Kenneth Waiswa.

Mukono, however, have a new spark in Geoffrey Kakaire. The former Wanderers player was the opening weekend’s standout, collecting two Player of the Match awards and giving the Warriors a timely boost.

At Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, last year’s semifinalists Avengers CC face Kutchi Tigers B. Avengers topped their group last season after losing only once before Ismaili stopped them in the semifinals. Tigers B, meanwhile, finished bottom of Group B after losing all eight games.

There is more history between the sides. Avengers thrashed Tigers B by 63 runs in this year’s 50 Over League, bowling them out for 74 after making 137.

At Florida Oval, Tornado CC meet UG20 debutants Soroti City CC in Group A. Tornado will want to erase memories of last season’s fourth-place finish in Group C, where they managed three wins, five defeats and two no results. Soroti, meanwhile, are starting afresh after missing last year’s tournament.

At New GM Sugar Oval, ACC face debutants Iganga CC in Group D. ACC were beaten twice by Mukono on matchday one and need an immediate response. Iganga will arrive with confidence after beating ACC by 34 runs in the 50 Over League earlier this year, defending just 100.

The 2026 UG20 rolls on this weekend with six matches across Cricket Oval in Lugogo, Lakeside Oval in Entebbe, Jinja SSS Oval and GM Sugar Oval.

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