Ugandan all-rounder and Victoria Pearls Vice Captain Janet Mbabazi has been shortlisted for the Coastline Beach Cricket Tournament whose details continue to unfold.

The spectacle is set to be hosted on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai according to the organizers’ website.

Mbabazi was selected alongside a host of many other stars like Brazil’s fast-medium bowler Mariana Martinez, UAE’s right-hand Batter Esha Oza, Leg Spinner From England Laura Ann Bailey, and Brazilian right-handed Batter Roberta Avery among others.

A statement released by Coastline Cricket read; “Our First Female International Player From Uganda – 🇺🇬 – She is a batting all-rounder – Janet is a leading role model for female cricketers worldwide a true inspiration for individuals in the sporting sector.

“We are bringing cricketers from all around the world 🌍 to our League providing them an opportunity to play and showcase their talents on an international platform.”

Coastline Cricket brings a new way to enjoy the much-loved sport to a global audience, featuring mixed-gender teams and a star-studded guest list.

Janet made her Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) for Uganda against Scotland in the World Twenty20 Qualifier on 7 July 2018.

In March 2023, Mbabazi became one of the Uganda Cricket Association’s first twelve women players to be awarded central contracts.

Laurence Mahatlane, the Head Coach of the Uganda Men’s cricket team is excited to expose Cricket Cranes to world-class competition in the upcoming Castle Lite Series scheduled to take place from 5 to 13 July at the United Sports Fields in Namibia, Windhoek.

The South African coach believes the Ugandans will register growth from the series ahead of the T20 World Qualifiers later this year.

The series will feature four T20 matches on 5, 6,8, and 9 July followed by two thrilling 50-over matches on 11 and 13 July.

“We are grateful to Cricket Namibia for keeping the relationship alive. This series has allowed us to test the depth of our squad and expose new players to world-class competition. We look forward to this opportunity to further develop as a unit,” Mahatlane said.

Last year, Uganda won one T20I game and also one 50-over game, after losing all games in the first tour in 2021.

Pierre de Bruyn, the head coach of the Namibian cricket team, feels the Richelieu Eagles will have to go on and upwards by facing Uganda’s Cricket Cranes in the upcoming Castle Lite Series.

The events are scheduled to take place from 5 to 13 July at the United Sports Fields in Windhoek and the tactician has expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming series.

He emphasised the importance of this opportunity to shape their T20 strategic planning, stating, “We want to evolve our T20 game and become a force in T20 cricket.

“We need to change our thinking, upskill ourselves, and identify the right players for executing the T20 brand we aspire to play.”

Namibia has been dominant since the Cricket Cranes faced them in 2021. The first edition saw them win all the matches, Uganda then won one T20 and one ODI the following year.

The Namibia National Cricket Team Richelieu Eagles will host the Uganda Cricket Cranes in the upcoming Castle Lite Series scheduled to take place from 5 to 13 July at the United Sports Fields in Windhoek.

The Eagles vs Cranes Series has become an annual fixture on the calendar and it continues to become an entertaining fixture between the two cricket countries.

The series will feature four T20 matches on 5, 6,8, and 9 July followed by two thrilling 50-over matches on 11 and 13 July.

Johan Muller, Chief Executive of Cricket Namibia says he’s excited to have Uganda return to Namibia.

“We are proud to bring another international team to Namibia. This Series allows us to attract high-quality cricket to our shores and provides an excellent platform to develop our depth. It is a crucial part of our T20 preparation for the Africa Qualifier in November,” he said.

Last year, Uganda won one T20I game and also one 50-over game, after losing all games in the first tour in 2021.

Kenya’s captain Rakep Patel has rued the inconsistency in the loss to Uganda’s Cricket Cranes during the final of the 2023 Continental Cup at the Nairobi Gymkhana.

Uganda won by 1 run after Kenya mounted a brutal chase that dragged on until the death.

Uganda won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 125 runs for the loss of ten wickets in 20 overs.

In reply, Kenya notched 124 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs. Veteran Collins Obuya scored 44 runs in 51 balls in the process for Kenya.

“We bowled well, we were so well into the game till the 16th over,” Kenya’s captain Rakep Patel told Standard Sports.

“We didn’t capitalise on the game to hit the boundaries. We also didn’t have consistency in the match, especially in areas we felt we could have done better in.

The Cricket Cranes will take this success to Namibia on 3rd July where they will face the Richelieu Eagles in the 2023 Capricorn Series.

Uganda captain Brian Masaba feels the 2023 Continental Cup victory the Cricket Cranes registered was very special to the team.

The side overcame Kenya in an enthralling final and it took a lot of character to bag the win.

During the crunch final, Uganda won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 125 runs for the loss of ten wickets in 20 overs.

In reply, Kenya notched 124 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs. Uganda won by 1 run.

“I think Kenya didn’t play badly, it was just an unfortunate day in the office for them as the margin of the win is so narrow, the game could have gone either way,” Masaba said.

“We pledged to build on this performance henceforth till we head to Namibia for the World Cup qualifiers.”

The Cricket Cranes head to Namibia on 3rd July where they will face the Richelieu Eagles in the 2023 Capricorn Series.

Uganda’s Victoria Pearls will remember coming so close but never finishing off the journey in fashion after losing to Rwanda in the 2023 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament on Saturday.

The loss inflicted on Uganda was their first to Rwanda since the country started playing cricket but also their first championship in nine years.

Rwanda and Nigeria tied for with 10 points but the former were better of with Net Run Rate NRR and so qualified for finals to face Uganda.

Rwanda’s Henriette Ishimwe got the most wickets of the tournament, 16, while Kenya’s Queentor Abel scored the most runs with 206, followed by Nigeria’s Lucky Piety, 194 runs, a youngster.

Rwanda’s Sarah Uwerah was very delighted with the victory; “I feels very happy to be part of the team that has won the first trophy Rwanda after nine years of hosting.

“It’s really good to be part of it. At least I can say I got the chance to life the trophy high up before I retire.”

The Best Fielder Award was collected by Lorna Anyait of Uganda while MVP of the 2023 Kwibuka Women’s T20 was Queentor Abel.

Uganda has won the International Cricket Council Digital Fan Engagement of the Year following its spectacular works on social media as well as engaging fans.

The federation has been exceptional in the digital game, and the major highlight was last year when the media team excelled at promoting the team that travelled to the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

“Uganda made a remarkable comeback to the global stage in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 event,” ICC wrote on their website.

“They capitalized on this achievement by adopting innovative methods to promote their talented young players, successfully engaging and raising awareness among cricket enthusiasts throughout the country.

Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Cricket Association, Alan Mugume, told ICC; “It is such a great honour and a privilege for UCA and Ugandan cricket at large to be receiving this award for the ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year.

“A lot of time and effort has gone into enlightening the public about the game in Uganda and this award shows that none of it has been in vain.”

At the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022, Uganda lost group games to Ireland, India and South Africa but defeated Scotland in the 13th-place playoff, and PNG in the Plate playoff semi-finals before losing to UAE in the Plate quarter-finals.

Matchday 6: Kwibuka Women’s Tournament

Game 7: Uganda W v Rwanda W

• Rwanda 31 all out
• Uganda 32/0
• Uganda won by 10 wickets

The Victoria Pearls picked up their seventh win at the Kwibuka Tournament in Kigali to secure their place in the final slated for Saturday afternoon.

Uganda won the toss against the hosts Rwanda and elected to bowl first. Rwanda’s spectacular collapse aided Uganda’s easy journey to the final.

Rwanda lost their key batters Henriette and Gisele Ishimwe as they were bundled out for 31.

Kevin Awino and Janet Mbabazi were measured and scored the required runs inside 7 overs without dropping a wicket.

Uganda secured a place in the final for the first time since 2016 and they will wait for either Rwanda or Nigeria who are competing for the second place.

The Victoria Pearls will have time to rest as they take on Nigeria in their final group game today afternoon at the Gahanga.

The Cricket Cranes have arrived safely in Kenya ahead of the 2023 Continental Cup T20 starting on Friday 9th.

Uganda will take part in the inaugural edition of the tournament that will feature three other teams, hosts Kenya, Rwanda and Botswana.

The team travelled with the T20 core players such as Dinesh Nakrani, Riazat Ali Shah, Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi alongside debutants Nsubuga Siraje and Robinson Obuya.

Uganda is the highest-ranked team in the tournament at 24th but might be lacking some fire in the bowling department with both fast bowlers Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta ruled out due to injury.

Uganda Cricket Association announced that they had arrived safely via a tweet; “Nairobi – SEMA!

“The Cricket Cranes safely arrived in Nairobi this morning ready to take part in the inaugural edition of the Continent Cup T20 tournament.

“The team will take on Botswana in the their 1st game on Friday.”

Nairobi – SEMA!

The Cricket Cranes safely arrived in Nairobi this morning ready to take part in the inaugural edition of the Continent Cup T20 tournament.

The team will take on Botswana in the their 1st game on Friday. #CricketCranesInColour pic.twitter.com/n26iVxO5yD

— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) June 7, 2023

The Team: 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).