06 April 2023 | Cricket

In the final of the Africa Cup, Uganda looked down and out of it by 17th over till Riazat Ali Shah asked his partner at the non-striker Deus Muhumuza to stop and just stare. Riazat Ali Shah put Tanzania to the sword scoring 51 runs from just 18 balls and helping the Cricket Cranes win their 1st major title in 2022. It was also on the back of his willow that Uganda was able to defeat fierce rivals Kenya in a low-scoring semifinal where he scored 41. His power-hitting skills were phenomenal throughout the whole tournament as he was trusted by the team to bat as high as number 4 in the team. Batting high up the order meant that it allowed him to face as many balls as possible and also ensure he is still in and set at the back end of the innings. His second USPA Cricketer of the Year award after he was voted for the same in 2018. Janet Mbabazi was voted as the female cricket of the year in a category where she had no competition, a strong international season saw her beat off all her competition. Janet was voted the Most Valuable Player in two of the four international events that Victoria Pearls took part in. She was in MVP in Nepal and Kenya both series won by the Victoria Pearls. This was the second award for Janet Mbabazi after winning the same award in 2019. The All-Rounder shone in a year when the team was missing most of its experienced players as she took proper leadership of the team.

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