Cricket Cranes (Uganda men’s senior national cricket team) Coach Laurence Mahatlane and team captain Deus Muhumuza say that the side will put up a good display at the ICC Men’s T20 Sub Regional World Cup Qualifier – Group A slated for October 14th to 23 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Cricket Cranes are top Group A seeds and favorites in the Kigali meet and they must come atop to proceed to the African Qualifier for only the top team from the two sub groups will make the cut.
Coach Mahatlane believes that his side will come out of Kigali without a scratch where they will face hosts Rwanda, Malawi, Seychelles, Lesotho, Ghana and Eswatini.
“We have had lots of internal games and we’re in good shape. We’ve got both youngsters and senior folks on the team and I’m comfortable where we are and the preparations we have made and I’m looking forward to the tournament,” Mahatlane said during the team’s flagoff ceremony at Lugogo Sports Complex on Monday.
Uganda seeks to get to the continental qualifier that already has Kenya and Nigeria. One of the four teams from the African Qualifier will then proceed to the Global Qualifiers which is the final pathway to the World Cup.
Skipper Muhumuza who is standing in for an injured Brian Masaba says that the team has been putting in good shifts behind the scenes, not forgetting the recent triumph in the ICC sanctioned tri-series that had Kenya and Nigeria and Uganda.
“We have been working hard as a team and I believe we shall make the nation proud, that’s our main aim. We’ve prepared enough and I believe we’re good to go. There’s still room for improvement but I believe we’re in a good space,” Muhumuza said.
Uganda will start their campaign on 16th November against Malawi at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali. Other teams in the showpiece are hosts Rwanda, Ghana, Seychelles, Eswatini and Lesotho.
Fast-rising youngsters; Simon Ssesazi and former U-19 captain Frank Akankwasa make the squad alongside left-arm orthodox bowler Gerald Mubiru as well as livewire opening bowler Richard Agamire, who is making a return to the side for the first time since he helped Uganda finish unbeaten with 10 points at the first leg of the ICC World Cricket Challenge League B in Oman December 2019.
Veteran ace Frank Nsubuga, too, bounces back in the squad after he missed out on the last two series hosted by Uganda at Kyambogo and Entebbe Oval.
A total of 86 different teams all start with the dream alive on the global scale. At the regional level there will be 67 Associate Members taking part, including Uganda.
Due to the depth of strength within Africa and Europe, both regions have sub regional qualifiers feeding into a final qualifier for the region. Africa, Americas, East Asia Pacific and Europe will have one top tier regional qualifier and Asia will have A and B to determine which teams will progress into the two eight-team global qualifiers.
The 16 available spots in the Global Qualifiers will be filled by one team each from the Africa and EAP Qualifier respectively. They will be joined by two teams each from the Americas and Europe qualifiers. Finally, Asia which has a Qualifier A and B will see one team from each event make up the eight spots from regional qualification.
CRICKET CRANES CONTINGENT TO RWANDA
The Players:
1. Deus Muhumuza (Captain), 2. Ronak Patel, 3. Simon Ssesazi, 4. Dinesh Nakrani, 5. Frank Akankwasa, 6. Riazat Ali Shah, 7. Kenneth Waiswa, 8. Bilal Hassun, 9. Frank Nsubuga, 10. Saud Islam, 11. Richard Agamire, 12. Henry Ssenyondo, 13. Fred Achelam (wicket-keeper) 14. Gerald Mubiru
The Reserves:
1. Arnold Otwani, 2. Jonathan Ssebanja, 3. Cosmas Kyewuta, 4. Charles Waiswa
The Officials:
Laurence Mahatlane (Coach), Jackson Ogwang (Assistant Coach), Shamim Nassali (Physiotherapist), Alvin Bagaya (Analyst), Innocent Ndawula (Media Manager) Jackson Kavuma (Team Manager).
GROUP A – One Spot To The Africa Finals
Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Lesotho Malawi, Eswatini and Seychelles.
UGANDA’S SCHEDULE
16 October 2021:
2.50pm: Malawi vs. Uganda
Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali
17 October 2021
2:50pm: Rwanda vs. Uganda
IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali
19 October 2021
10:30am: Lesotho vs. Uganda
IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali
19 October 2021
2:50pm: Eswatini vs. Uganda
IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali
21 October 2021
10:30am: Ghana vs. Uganda
Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali
22 October 2021
2:50pm: Seychelles vs. Uganda
IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali
