After a successful tour to Qatar earlier this year, Cricket Cranes are off to Kenya for the inaugural edition of the Continent T20 Cup set to kick off on 7th -21st June 2023 in Nairobi with three other nations, hosts Kenya, Botswana and Rwanda.
Having put up a good show in South Africa last year where they defeated Tanzania in the final , Uganda travel to Kenya for the inaugural competition with their heads up as the favourates despite missing out on the two opening bowlers, Miyagi June and Kyewuta Cosmas who are out due to injury.
The squad also features two debutants, Nsubuga Siraje and Robinson Obuya who have a chance to impress on the national team call but the rest of the work shall be left to Riazat Ali Shah, Rogar Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi and others to deliver in a much anticipate competition where Cryrus Kakuru and Pascal Murugi have gotten another opportunity to impress on the team.
“I have been privileged to be part of this young and exciting group of players since two years ago as they have been able to deliver on many occasions both home and away. It will be very difficult to play Kenya away but those are the moments we look up to as we have managed to prepared very well for what is ahead of us,” said Lawrence Mahatlane, head coach Cricket Cranes.
The competition will be played in a triple round -robin format with the top two teams booking a place in the final. Uganda is currently the highest ranked nation in the tournament and will need to show character throughout the whole tournament as their will be ranking points to grab.
Apart from Kenya who will be looking to win the competition at home, the other two teams, Botswana and Rwanda will be a total a surprise to be in the final with Rwanda being a team in transition while Uganda has a upper hand to bring it home once it finds possible ways to go past Kenya.
Squad: Roger Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Nsubuga, Brian Masaba (Captain), Alpesh Ramjani, Kenneth Waiswa, Siraje Nsubuga, Cyrus Kakuru, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Pascal Murungi.
Officials: Lawrence Mahatlane (Head Coach), Jackson Ogwang (Assistant Coach), Tusiime Steve (Team Analyst), Shamim Nassali (Physiotherapist), Malinga Marion (Media Attache), Charles Waiswa (Team Manager).