The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) has officially launched the second edition of the Pearl of Africa T20 Series, which is set to bring high-octane international cricket back to the picturesque Entebbe Cricket Oval from July 16 to 28, 2025.
This year’s tournament will feature five cricketing nations—Uganda, Kenya, Namibia A, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait—in a 12-day festival of sport and entertainment. The tournament adopts an Indian Premier League-style format, beginning with a single round-robin before heading into knockout eliminators and concluding with the grand final on Sunday, July 27.
“This is the beginning of what we envision to be an annual cricket product that attracts regional and continental powerhouses,” said Adonia Waibale, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee. “We are repackaging cricket from just another sport to a high-energy occasion that brings vibes. Through partnerships with local brands like Pepsi Cola and Hisense, fans can expect out-of-this-world matchday experiences.”
All fixtures—except those featuring Namibia A—will carry official T20 International (T20I) status, offering crucial ranking points and experience to the participating sides. The series also serves as important preparation ahead of upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) global qualifiers.
Abhay Sharma, Head Coach of the Cricket Cranes, emphasized the developmental value of the event: “Our focus is not just on results, but on finding the right combinations and giving opportunities. This event is key preparation for our upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Zimbabwe.”
Subhan Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer of the Emirates Cricket Board, expressed enthusiasm: “We are delighted to participate. The UAE team is in strong T20 form, and this competition presents another excellent opportunity to build momentum ahead of major events later this year.”
Kenya’s Assistant Coach, Joseph Angara, highlighted the timing of the tournament: “We thank UCA for organizing such a timely tournament. This comes at a critical time for us, and we are coming in to compete.”
From Namibia, Coach Craig Williams noted: “Though we’re bringing our Namibia A side, this is a golden opportunity for our emerging talent. We are going to take it seriously because we know it will be competitive and can’t wait to arrive in the Pearl of Africa.”
