Having qualified for their first-ever senior men’s World Cup in November last year, the Cricket Cranes were flagged off to the West Indies by the State Minister of Sports and Education, Hon. Peter Ogwang, on Tuesday. They are set to play all their World Cup games there.
The tournament will run from June 1 to June 29 in the USA and West Indies. Uganda is in Group C with co-host West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Before the main tournament, the Cricket Cranes will play two warm-up games against fellow ICC associate members: Namibia on May 28 and Scotland on May 30 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
The squad includes veteran spinner Frank Nsubuga, who has been with the national team since 1996 and will be the oldest player at the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup.
Captain Brian Masaba shared his excitement, saying, “We are an excited bunch of players. No feeling can replace how happy we are to be the chosen ones. This World Cup is the result of years of hard work and dedication. Our journey has been shaped by many talented players, and our recent success in qualifiers shows our resilience and belief in ourselves.”
Masaba added, “We want to do our best and make a big impact. We are ranked 22nd, just behind Papua New Guinea, and we think our match against them is winnable. We also want to challenge the top teams and show our talent on the world stage. This tournament gives our players a chance to get opportunities in major leagues.”
Full Squad: Roger Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi, Ronak Patel, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah (Vice-Captain), Kenneth Waiswa, Dinesh Nakrani, Brian Mark Masaba (Captain), Bilal Hassun, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Fred Achellam, Alpesh Ramjani.
Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya.
Officials: Coach Abhay Sharma (coach), Assistant Coach: Jackson Ogwang (assistant coach), Craig Williams (Consultant), Steven Tusiime (Analyst), Shamim Nassali (Physiotherapist), Dr. Rishi Jagdeo (Doctor), Emmanuella Oromo (Strength & Conditioning), Nehal Bibodi (Selector), Innocent Ndawula, (Media Manager), Charles Waiswa (Team Manager), Jackson Kavuma (Delegation Head)
