The second edition of Victoria Series that will see five countries compete against each other was launched today and all live actions will be happening at Lugogo cricket oval from April 16th- 23rd 2023.
Host Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and UAE will be the teams to compete with UAE who are the best ranked team out of the five making her debut visit to the pearl of Africa. With UAE at 15th, they are followed by Tanzania at 16th, Uganda on 21st, Kenya at 23rd and lastly Rwanda at 26th.
The tournament has T20 international status therefore there are ranking points at stake for the teams that are able to defeat those that are above them. UAE comes into the tournament as the favorites and they will have a mark on their backs.
Two games will be played everyday starting April 18, 2023 and the final will be played on April 23, 2023 after a round robin format with the two top teams making the final.
UAE will be counting on ICC Associate Women’s Cricketer of the year 2022 Esha Oza and Therertha Sathish and Kavisha Kumari who have been part of the fair break tournament in Hong Kong this month.
Rwanda is the lowest rank team in the tournament but has been improving as a team and the recently voted ICC Women’s Cricketer for the month of March Henriette Ishimwe will be a key player for them alongside U-19 World Cup Captain Gisele Ishimwe.
Uganda has named the same team that won the Quadrangular tournament in Kenya in December with Consy Aweko still in charge of the side. Janet Mbabazi who was recently voted by USPA as the Female Cricketer of the Year for 2022 will be the go-to player for the team but she is the fine company of the experience of Immaculate Nakisuyi and Stephanie Nampiina.
Tanzania has a great mix of youth and experience with the legend Fatuma Kibasu leading the team that has exciting talent such as Hurda Mrisho and Vanessa Mtae. They might have lost to both Kenya and Uganda in the Quadrangular in December last year and a chance in the team resources might bring them a different fortune.
Kenya is trying to rise out of the ashes and such events give them an opportunity to remain relevant since they can no longer take part in ICC events due to the lack of a local league for their ladies’ team. They will be without Queentor Abel but in her absence, Sharon Juma will lead the side.
