Uganda vs Malawi: ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final 2025 – 5th Place Playoff
Introduction
On October 2, 2025, Uganda and Malawi faced off in the 5th Place Playoff of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe. Uganda emerged victorious with a commanding 117-run win, posting a formidable total and then restricting Malawi to a modest score. This match highlighted Uganda's dominance in both batting and bowling departments, securing their fifth-place finish in the tournament.
Match Overview
Batting Performance
Uganda won the toss and elected to bat first. Their innings was anchored by Sumeet Verma, who played a blistering knock of 88 runs off 41 balls, including 3 fours and 8 sixes. He was well-supported by Raghav Dhawan, who remained unbeaten on 50 runs off 48 balls. Together, they propelled Uganda to a total of 192/3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Malawi's bowling attack was led by Kelvin Thuchila, who took 1 wicket for 8 runs in his 3 overs. Daniel Jakiel also contributed with 1 wicket for 38 runs in 4 overs. Despite their efforts, they were unable to contain Uganda's aggressive batting.
Malawi's Response
Chasing a daunting target of 193, Malawi's innings faltered early. They managed to score only 75/6 in their 20 overs. Alpesh Ramjani was the standout bowler for Uganda, claiming 4 wickets for 13 runs in his 4 overs. Innocent Mwebaze supported well with 1 wicket for 19 runs in 4 overs. Malawi's top scorer was Mike Choamba, who contributed 14 runs off 18 balls.
Statistical Overview
Uganda's Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumeet Verma | 88 | 41 | 3 | 8 | 214.63 |
| Raghav Dhawan | 50 | 48 | 1 | 2 | 104.17 |
| Extras (nb 4, w 6) | 15 | ||||
| Total | 192 | 89 | 4 | 10 |
Malawi's Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Choamba | 14 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 |
| Gift Kansonkho | 4 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 26.67 |
| Aaftab Limdawala | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Daniel Jakiel | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Sami Sohail | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Kazim Somani | 7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Moazzam Baig | 12 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Extras (nb 4, w 6) | 15 | ||||
| Total | 75 | 70 | 4 | 0 |
Key Moments
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Sumeet Verma's Explosive Knock: Verma's 88 runs were the cornerstone of Uganda's innings, providing the team with a solid foundation and setting a challenging target for Malawi.
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Raghav Dhawan's Supportive Role: Dhawan's unbeaten 50 runs ensured that Uganda capitalized on the strong start, maintaining a high run rate throughout the innings.
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Alpesh Ramjani's Bowling Brilliance: Ramjani's 4-wicket haul dismantled Malawi's batting lineup, leaving them with little opportunity to chase down the target.
Conclusion
Uganda's dominant performance against Malawi in the 5th Place Playoff of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final 2025 showcased their strength in both batting and bowling departments. With standout performances from Sumeet Verma, Raghav Dhawan, and Alpesh Ramjani, Uganda secured a comprehensive 117-run victory. This win not only earned them the 5th place in the tournament but also highlighted their potential on the international stage.
