With the U19 Cricket World Cup 2022 fast approaching, all teams in Uganda’s group B have already announced squads ahead of the showpiece in West Indies.

The tournament will run from 14 January to 5 February and Uganda will battle against India, Ireland and South Africa.

The Baby Cricket Cranes will be making their third appearance after World Cup editions in Bangladesh 2004 and Sri Lanka 2006.

Here are the squads of India, Ireland and South Africa so far announced pending progression to Plate League or Super League playoffs;

India

Yash Dhull (c), Harnoor Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, SK Rasheed (vc), Nishant Sindhu, Siddarth Yadav, Aneeshwar Gautam, Dinesh Bana, Aaradhya Yadav, Raj Angad Bawa, Manav Parakh, Kaushal Tambe, RS Hangargekar, Vasu Vats, Vicky Ostwal, Ravikumar, Garv Sangwan.

Travelling Reserves: Rishit Reddy, Uday Saharan, Ansh Gosai, Amrit Raj Upadhyay, Amrit Raj Upadhyay.

Ireland 

Tim Tector (c), Diarmuid Burke, Joshua Cox, Jack Dickson, Liam Doherty, Jamie Forbes, Daniel Forkin, Matthew Humphreys, Philippe le Roux, Scott Macbeth, Nathan McGuire, Muzamil Sherzad, David Vincent, Luke Whelan, Reuben Wilson.

Travelling Reserve: Robbie Millar.

Non-travelling Reserves: Ryan Hunter, Ewan Wilson.

South Africa

George van Heerden (c), Liam Alder, Matthew Boast, Dewald Brevis, Michael Copeland, Ethan Cunningham, Valentine Kitime, Kwena Maphaka, Gerhard Maree, Aphiwe Mnyanda, Andile Simelane, Jade Smith, Kaden Solomons, Joshua Stephenson, Asakhe Tshaka.

Travelling Reserves: Hardus Coetzer, Ronan Hermann, Caleb Seleka.

Uganda

Pascal Murungi(c), Munir Ismail(vc), Akram Nsubuga, Christopher Kidega, Pius Oloka, Joseph Baguma, Matthew Musinguzi, Ronald Omara, Cyrus Kakuru, Asaba Brian, Isaac Sanyu Ategeka, Ronald Opio, Ronald Lutaaya, Edwin Nuwagaba, Juma Miyagi.

Cricket Cranes All Rounder Dinesh Nakrani is one of 100 associate cricketers that have been listed in Pakistan Super League draft for 2022.

The star was named the Most Valuable player for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers Group A in Kigali Rwanda, having featured dominantly with the ball.

He often partnered with Frank Nsubuga on the new ball but also manifested as a death bowler who could clean up the tail.

He finished the tournament with the best bowling figures of 6/7 the third-best bowling figures in T20 international cricket and collected a total of 21 wickets. 

He was more prolific with the bat at the ICC T20 World Cup finals in Rwanda where he managed to score 141 runs with the highest score of 67 and an average of 141 in 5 innings finishing unbeaten in 4 innings with a strike rate of 156. 

He made his debut for the cricket cranes in T20 international cricket in 2019 and has since then scored 347 runs with an average of 26.7 and a strike rate of 134.

His skill with the ball has seen him collect 40 wickets in T20 international cricket, with best bowling figures of 6/7 at an economy of 5.43. His intelligence and change of pace with both new and old balls have ensured that he is not predicable to batters. 

Uganda Cricket Association has terminated the contract of victoria Pearls head coach Suraj Karavadra.

The association announced on Tuesday evening that the coach will be leaving his role barely after nine months in charge of the national side.

Karavadra was appointed in April this year and was in charge of the team during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup African Qualifiers in Botswana.

“We are very grateful to Karavadra for his services, workmanship and commitment to the assignment. We wish Suraj all the best in his future endeavours,” the association said in a statement.

According to the press statement, Karavadra leaves the role by mutual consent and an interim coach will soon be named to steer the side.

Curtains came down on the second edition of Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) Women’s Elite League on Sunday with Thunder crowned winners.

Thunder was bottom of the four-team table because of an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR) going into the final day of the tournament, but everything broke in their favour on Sunday.

The side captained by Janet Mbabazi had to win both their games against the Northern Knights on the final day at Lugogo while praying Titans and Aziz Damani Hurricanes split their games at the University Oval in Kyambogo.

The Thunder eased past the Knights winning the game by 4 wickets in the morning, and they proved too strong for their opponents in the afternoon game, winning it by 8 wickets.

Mbabazi had a solid captain’s knock on the day, blasting an unbeaten 52 off 43 balls in the morning and 39 off 43 balls in the afternoon.

Rising star Jimia Muhammed impressed with the bat and her Soroti Cricket Academy teammate Mildred Anyigo impressed with the ball and took home the MVP award.

The games at Kyambogo were split as Titans bounced back from the super-over defeat in the morning to beat Hurricanes by 31 runs in the afternoon.

Uganda Cricket Association Development Manager Davis Turinawe has reiterated the importance of the second edition of the ladies’ Elite League that will bowl off from 10^th -17^th December.

Turinawe – part of the organizers – says the star players will form the core of the Victoria Pearls as they gear up for more engagements in 2022.

The 1st edition was held last year in tough Covid times. Only two teams; Aziz Damani Hurricanes and Challengers Blizzards took part.

The event will be played on a round robin format with the top side being crowned the champions. The matches that will be played at the Lugogo Cricket Oval and Kyambogo Cricket Oval.

“Basically, the Elite League is structured to have the better players in the previously concluded women’s league play against themselves,” Turinawe told the Cricket Federation website.

“The selectors picked out 52 of the top performers and drafted them into 4 teams accordingly.

“The selectors thought this is a step closer to selection of the women’s team that will be engaged in training for next year’s activities.

“The top performers after this league will form the core team that will train for senior team engagements that are scheduled from February through the year.”

FULL SQUADS:

Thunder Cricket Club: 1. Leona Babirye, 2. Mildred Anyipo, 3. Janet Mbabazi (Captain), 4. Jimia Muhammed, 5. Stephanie Nampiina, 6. Maria Nyende Kagoya, 7. Scovia Akello, 8. Jasmine Nabulya, 9. Eunice Kobusingye, 10. Christine Anayo, 11. Irene Alumo, 12. Natasha Amenyo, 13. Teddy Oyella.  Coach – Lawrence Ssempijja  

Aziz Damani Hurricanes: 1. Kevin Awino (Captain), 2. Eunice Alungat, 3. Rita Musamali, 4. Edith Achimo, 5. Janet Nakiranda, 6. Jackline Nakayovu, 7. Rita Nyangendo, 8. Lynette Nakato, 9. Malisa Ariokot, 10. Gloria Obukor, 11. Patricia Agwang, 12. Phiona Kulume, 13. Mary Akello. Coach –Yusuf Nanga  

Northern Knights Warriors: 1. Proscovia Alako, 2. Barbara Mukankusi, 3. Naomi Kayondo, 4. Claire Mushakamba, 5. Susan Kakai, 6. Mary Namiiro, 7. Brenda Nabisalu, 8. Naomi Amongin, 9. Saa Atim, 10. Consy Aweko (Captain), 11. Patricia Malemikia, 12. Ann Nyapendi, 13. Racheal Achan.  Coach: Oyaga Sadam  

Titan Cricket Club: 1. Rachel Ntono, 2. Shakira Saddick, 3. Esther Iloku, 4. Patricia Timong, 5. Asumin Akurut, 6. Joyce Mary Apio, 7. Carol Namugenyi (Captain), 8. Shubeika Naigaga, 9. Aanyit Lorna, 10. Sara Akiteng, 11. Evelyn Anyipo, 12. Julia Karungi, 13. Sara Walaza

Coach: Ivan Kakande

The second edition of the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) Women’s Elite League starts this weekend at two grounds, Kyambogo University Oval and Lugogo.

Unlike the inaugural edition, this season will have four franchise sides which means an increase in the number of players competing.

With each franchise side assigned a development coach, the tournament will be used to select the core that will form the Victoria Pearls side for the international engagements next year.

The league will be played in a T20 format.

Squads

Aziz Damani Hurricanes: 1. Kevin Awino (Captain), 2. Eunice Alungat, 3. Rita Musamali, 4. Edith Achimo, 5. Janet Nakiranda, 6. Jackline Nakayovu, 7. Rita Nyangendo, 8. Lynette Nakato, 9. Malisa Ariokot, 10. Gloria Obukor, 11. Patricia Agwang, 12. Phiona Kulume, 13. Mary Akello. Coach –Yusuf Nanga

Northern Knights Warriors: 1. Proscovia Alako, 2. Barbara Mukankusi, 3. Naomi Kayondo, 4. Claire Mushakamba, 5. Susan Kakai, 6. Mary Namiiro, 7. Brenda Nabisalu, 8. Naomi Amongin, 9. Saa Atim, 10. Consy Aweko (Captain), 11. Patricia Malemikia, 12. Ann Nyapendi, 13. Racheal Achan. Coach: Sadam Oyaga

Titan Cricket Club: 1. Rachel Ntono, 2. Shakira Saddick, 3. Esther Iloku, 4. Patricia Timong, 5. Asumin Akurut, 6. Joyce Mary Apio, 7. Carol Namugenyi (Captain), 8. Shubeika Naigaga, 9. Aanyit Lorna, 10. Sara Akiteng, 11. Evelyn Anyipo, 12. Julia Karungi, 13. Sara Walaza
Coach: Ivan Kakande

Thunder Cricket Club: 1. Leona Babirye, 2. Mildred Anyipo, 3. Janet Mbabazi (Captain), 4. Jimia Muhammed, 5. Stephanie Nampiina, 6. Maria Nyende Kagoya, 7. Scovia Akello, 8. Jasmine Nabulya, 9. Eunice Kobusingye, 10. Christine Anayo, 11. Irene Alumo, 12. Natasha Amenyo, 13. Teddy Oyella. Coach – Lawrence Ssempijja

Uganda Cricket Association announced the 15-man squad for the 2022 U-19 World Cup in West Indies.

The squad includes all the players who were part of the qualifying campaign in Rwanda with only Edwin Nuwagaba added to the side.

The players have been training since November 1 under head coach Ivan Thawithemwira and his assistant Robinson Turinawe.

Pascal Murungi has been named the Captain of the side and he will be assisted by Munir Ismail.

The side will travel for the World Cup on January 1, 2022, and should arrive in the Caribbean on January 3.

Uganda was put in the same group as India, Ireland, and South Africa.

They will start their World Cup campaign against Ireland on January 15 followed by South Africa and finish the group games against India.

The Squad

1. Pascal Murungi (Captain)
2. Munir Ismail (Vice-Captain)
3. Akram Nsubuga
4. Christopher Kidega
5. Pius Oloka
6. Joseph Baguma
7. Matthew Musinguzi
8. Ronald Omara
9. Cyrus Kakuru
10. Asaba Brian
11. Isaac Sanyu Ategeka
12. Ronald Opio
13. Ronald Lutaaya
14. Edwin Nuwagaba
15. Juma Miyagi

The U-19 national boys’ Cricket team has been voted Sports Personality for the month of October by the journalists’ body – Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA).

The Baby Cricket Cranes qualified for the 2022 World Cup in West Indies as winners of the Africa regional qualifiers in October this year.

Their success ensured Uganda’s guaranteed chance to making its third appearance at the junior global showpiece after featuring at the 2004 and 2006 editions in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively.

Announcing October’s Sports Personality, USPA shared a statement on their social media; “Uganda National U-19 Cricket team voted October’s Sports Personality with 295 points beating golfer Irene Nakalembe, Deo Akope and Tennis U-12 Team.”

Uganda National U-19 Cricket team voted October's Sports Personality with 295 points beating golfer Irene Nakalembe, Deo Akope and Tennis U-12 Team.@PatriqKanyomozi @NileSpecial @StanChartUGA @NCSUganda1 @CricketUganda pic.twitter.com/gRlroPeGfr

— USPAmedia (@USPAmedia) November 29, 2021

The Caribbean edition of the World Cup will run from Jan 3rd to Feb 4th, 2022 and the team will play India and South Africa in Trinidad and Tobago while the game against Ireland will be played in Guyana.

Uganda played against South Africa and Ireland in the previous editions but this will be the 1st time to face off with India.

Cricket Cranes head coach Laurence Mahatlane has revealed his desires for the national team after they were crowned African T20 Champions in Rwanda.

The Brian Masaba led team defeated Kenya in a rain delayed final match to seal progression to the 2022 T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers.

Speaking after the delightful outings in the Land of a Thousand Hills, the tactician revealed to Daily Monitor how he wants the team to proceed in the footsteps of One Day International (ODI) nations like Ireland and Afghanistan.

“I want to be part of the dream of seeing us as a country go on to achieve greater things. You’ve seen Afghanistan do it, and nothing should stop us in attaining those goals.”

“We have got the talent and ability, but most importantly we have got the opportunity to plan. There is no shortcut,” he added.

Afghanistan and Ireland were both awarded Full Member status by the ICC on 22 June 2017. The pair achieved ODI status in 2009 and 2007 respectively.

How Afghanistan achieved ODI status

Afghanistan won the ICC World Cricket League Division Five, defeating Jersey in the 2007 final.

They remained unbeaten in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four in Tanzania and then won the ICC World Cricket League Division Three in Argentina.

Their performances in the ICC World Cricket League paved the way for Afghanistan to take part in the qualifiers for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The side did remarkably well to reach the Super Eight stage in South Africa in 2009 but faltered at the last stage, where they lost to Canada.

However, their run helped them gain one-day international status in April 2009 – having started out barely eight years before.

How Ireland achieved ODI status

Ireland – a World Cup debutant in 2007 was an ICC Associate Member at the time, but made it to the “Super 8”, beating India and Pakistan respectively en route.

Ireland became only the second associate nation to make it past the first round of a Cricket World Cup, the first being Kenya in 2003.

At that tournament, a series of eye-catching results against Full Members, including a draw against Zimbabwe, and wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh confirmed Ireland’s ODI status after the competition.

Cricket Cranes return to globals alongside Zimbabwe as a pathway to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

Uganda’s Cricket Cranes have advanced to the final qualifying phase (Global Qualifiers) for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

To achieve the feat, Lawrence Mahatlane’s men had to beat Tanzania and Kenya on the final day of the African Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

Uganda took care of Tanzania in the morning game, dismissing them for just 68 runs. Frank Akankwasa put in a Man of Match performance with the ball picking up 4/10 in 3.4 overs.

Simon Ssesazi was the enforcer in the chase, scoring 39 runs and leaving the rest of the job to be completed by Deus Muhumuza (27) and Dinesh Nakrani (4).

In the afternoon game, Kenya won the toss and elected to bat first. Alex Obanda had a good start but fell to the left-arm spin of Henry Ssenyondo for 21.

It was Rakeep Patel (62) and Collins Obuya (29) partnership of 94 that helped Kenya post a respectable 123 in their 20 overs.

In the chase, Uganda lost Saud Islam and Ronak Patel early but Simon Ssesazi (18) and Deus Muhumuza (7) steadied the ship before both falling with at least 73 runs needed for victory.

It was a cat and mouse affair when heavens opened with at least 43 runs still required for the win from 5.3 overs. At that stage, Kenya was ahead on the D/L method by 4 runs.

While the Kenya players didn’t look interested in resuming the game, the Ugandans got involved in ensuring that the ground can be ready for play to continue.

Dinesh Nakrani (28) and Riazat Ali Shah (43) ensured the victory for Uganda after the rain delay.

The win means Cricket Cranes return to the big stage as the other African team alongside Zimbabwe at the Global Qualifiers will happen next year as a pathway to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.