BY JUMA ALI
The Uganda national cricket team, the Cricket Cranes have been flagged off today at Lugogo to Kenya to participate in the Africa T20 championship which is due to start on Wednesday 7, to Wednesday 21, June 2023 where four countries have confirmed their participation, those include, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Bostwana and Uganda.
A contigente of 14 players selected will be led by veteran Brian Masaba to claim for the T20 trophy.
Dinesh Nakrani and Bilal Hassan who missed the tour to Qatar are among the 14 team members who will travel to Kenya, also youngsters Cyrus Kakuru and Pascal Murungi get opportunity to the team to show that they can challenge for places ahead of the T20 World Cup Qualifies.
The tournament has been sanctioned by the ICC and therefore will have T20 ranking points with Uganda, the highest ranked team at the tournament at 24 position, Kenya at 28 position, Tanzania at 30 position, Bostwana at 49 position and Rwanda at 67 position in the World.
The full list of 14 members who will travel include, Roger Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Nsubuga, Brian Masaba as team captain, Alpesh Ramjani, Kenneth Waiswa, Siraje Nsubuga, Kakuru Cyrus, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassaun and Pascal Murungi.
The officials include, Lawrence Mahatlane as head coach, Jackson Ogwang as assistant coach, Tusiime Steve as team analyst, Shamim Nassali as physiotherapist, Malinga Marion as media attache and Charles Waiswa as team manager.
The favourites Uganda will open away with Bostwana on 9, June at 1:30 at Nairobi Gymkhana, Kenya vs Uganda on 10, at 1:30 at Nairobi Gymkhana, Rwanda vs Uganda at 1:30 at Gymkhana, Uganda vs Kenya on 13, at 1:30, Uganda vs Botswana on 14, at 9:30am, Uganda vs Rwanda on 15, at 9:30am, Botswana vs Uganda on 17, at 9:30am, Uganda vs Kenya on 18, at 1:30, Uganda vs Rwanda on 19, at 1:30 pm and final will be played on 21, June at 1:30 at Nairobi Gymkhana.
