BY JUMA ALI
The Cricket Cranes have been challenged to turn their ranking into results after being flagged off for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub -Regional Qualifier C , with the team targeting qualification for the Africa Regional final and victory in the Abuja tournament.
The team will travel on Sunday.
National Council of Sports (NCS) and Cricket Uganda officials flagged off the 14 man squad and officials at the NCS headquarters in Kampala on Friday morning ahead of the October 18-25 competition in Nigeria.
The team led by captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice -captain Kenneth Waiswa , Uganda enter the six team tournament as the highest ranked side among the participating Countries. The immediate target is a top two finish ,which would secure progression to the Africa Regional final on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Uganda made their maiden appearance at the global tournament in the West Indies and the United States in 2024 but missed out on the 2026 edition.The Abuja assignment offers the Cranes an opportunity to take an important step towards returning to the World stage.
Head coach Steve Tikolo expressed confidence in the selected squad ,saying the 14 players offered the best combination to deliver results while providing opportunities for emerging talent to develop through international competition.
“We feel these are the best 14 players to go and do the job for us in Abuja.We have a good combination of experienced players and youngsters who have put up their hands whenever they have been selected,” Tikolo said.
Captain Riazat said the blend gave the team a strong foundation but emphasised that Uganda must execute the basics well to achieve their objectives.
“We have a good combination of players and we are excited to see the younger players grow, and tournaments like these are important because they learn how to handle pressure and improve through international competition,”he said.
Uganda open their campaign against Zambia on October,20 before facing Lesotho the following day. After a rest day , they take on the Gambia on October,23, Mozambique on October,24 and hosts Nigeria on October,25.
Team Uganda players who are traveling consists of ; Riazat Ali Shah, Robinson Obuya,Raghav Dhawan, Gerald Olipa, Sumeet Verma, Kenneth Waiswa,Alpesh Ramjani,Pius Oloka,Anas Baig Mirza,Charles Musemeza,Cyrus Kakuru,Juma Miyaji ,Joseph Baguma and Enock Kasajja.
UGANDA’S FIXTURES
*October,20 : Uganda vs Zambia
*October,21 : Lesotho vs Uganda
*October,23:The Gambia vs Uganda
*October,24: Uganda vs Mozambique
*October,25: Nigeria vs Uganda