Event: 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier
Venue: Kigali, Rwanda
Time: November 17-20, 2021
After a long spell out of the team due to injury, Cricket Cranes (Uganda men’s senior national cricket team) Captain Brian Masaba is back to the team and will lead his charges at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier slated for November 17-20 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Masaba missed the Regional Qualifier of the global showpiece held last month in Kigali but he will lead the boys to the same place in a bid to edge closer to qualification.
“I’m really excited to be back,” Masaba said recently adding that; “It hasn’t been easy sitting out and watching the boys put in the hard work. However, I’m happy that they qualified for this event even without me. That says a lot about our squad depth.”
Gerrard Mubiru will make way for Masaba and is the only omission from the team that won Group A in the Regional Qualifier in October.
Uganda will be up against Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania. Cricket Cranes faced the first two teams about two months ago in an ICC sanctioned tri-series which they (Uganda) won at the Entebbe lakeside oval.
“Those are all tough teams but our main aim is to make our country proud. It won’t be easy but we shall do our best,” Masaba noted.
Uganda will open their campaign today against Kenya at the IPRC Cricket Ground, Kicukiro-Kigali before taking on Nigeria at the Gahanga International Stadium later in the day.
Only one team will qualify from the continental do. The next (final) step will be the Global Qualifier which will happen early next year.
Cricket Cranes Squad – Brian Masaba (Captain), Deus Muhumuza (Vice Captain), Ronak Patel, Simon Ssesazi, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Akankwasa, Riazat Ali Shah, Kenneth Waiswa, Bilal Hassun, Frank Nsubuga, Saud Islam, Richard Agamire, Henry Ssenyondo, Fred Achelam (wicket-keeper)
The Officials – Laurence Mahatlane (Coach), Jackson Ogwang (Assistant Coach), Shamim Nassali (Physiotherapist), Alvin Bagaya (Analyst), Innocent Ndawula (Media Manager) Jackson Kavuma (Team Manager).
Uganda’s Fixture:
17 November 2021:
*10:15am: Kenya vs. Uganda, IPRC Cricket Ground, Kicukiro-Kigali
*2:45pm: Uganda vs. Nigeria, Gahanga International Stadium
18 November 2021:
*10:15am: Tanzania vs. Uganda, Gahanga International Stadium
*2:45pm: Nigeria vs. Uganda, IPRC Cricket Ground, Kicukiro-Kigali
20 November 2021:
*10:15am: Uganda vs. Tanzania, Gahanga International Stadium
*2:45pm: Uganda vs. Kenya, Gahanga International Stadium.
