Mohammed Irfan Afridi, commonly known as Lala in the Cricket circles has not been included in Uganda Cricket Cranes squad that will represent in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa finals set in Kampala in May 17-25.
Afridi was controversially suspended in September last year by ICC.
The allegations occurred during Uganda’s match against the USA when the match umpires informed captain Roger Mukasa that Afridi was chucking!
Consequently, he was suspended from playing in International Cricket after his bowling action was found illegal from a video analysis taken.
His suspension from bowling will remain until Uganda Cricket Association submits a further assessment of his bowling action by an Expert Panel or at an ICC approved Testing Centre.
The absence of Afridi, who is Pakistani born, will be clearly felt after his recent strong performances under the Cricket Cranes jersey including in April 2018 ICC world Cricket league divison four in Malaysia where he finished as the leading Wicket-taker with 15 dismissals in six games.
14 Players Squad Revealed
Cricket Cranes will be targeting to finish among the top two teams on the final day to progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 11 to November 3, 2019.
Beside Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria are the other teams to compete.
The team will be under the stewardship of the legendary coach Steve Tikolo who named a squad of 14 and two reserve players.
Roger Mukasa will be the captain and assisted by Brian Masaba.
Beside Afridi, three other players that helped Uganda qualify from the East Africa Region Qualifier (Africa B event) at Gahanga International Stadium in Rwanda last year have been left out.
Kenneth Waiswa is said to be injured while batsman Ronak Patel and opening bowler Bilal Hassun were not considered.
The Team:
Players:
Roger Mukasa (Aziz Damani), Arnold Otwani (Challengers), Hamu Kayondo (Challengers), Zephaniah Arinaitwe (Challengers), Dinesh Nakrani (Kutchi Tigers), Riazat Ali Shah (Aziz Damani), Deus Muhumuza (KICC), Rogers Olipa (Challengers), Charles Waiswa (Aziz Damani), Frank Nsubuga (Aziz Damani), Emmanuel Isaneez (Aziz Damani), Henry Ssenyondo (Aziz Damani), Brian Masaba (Aziz Damani), Fred Achelam (Aziz Damani)
The Officials
Coach: Steve Tikolo Ogonji.
Assistant Coach: Jackson Ogwang Oyuku
Performance Coach: Tim Kearsey.
Data/Video Analyst: Alvin Bagaya Mboijana
