Saturday, October 16
*Malawi Vs Uganda – 2:50pm
Uganda will be seeking to get off the mark when they face Malawi in their opening Group B game at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers.
The match will be played at Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) in Kigali, Rwanda.
The tournament is a qualification pathway for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup due next year in Australia.
Its a long qualification process for Uganda who will battle against other Group A opponents Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Seychelles and hosts Rwanda.
Only the top team in the group will qualify for the Regional Finals – Kenya and Nigeria have already qualified for the Regional Finals thanks to their highest rank.
Coach Laurence Mahatlane is buoyed by the recent success at the Pearl of Africa T20 Series where Uganda triumphed against Kenya and Nigeria at Lakeside oval in Entebbe.
“It has been a month since we last played in the Tri Series, we have had some internal games but what is more important is that there is a lot of competition for places. We have a group of good youngsters and some experienced players around and am very comfortable with where we are and the preparations we have made,” said coach Mahatlane.
“Our ultimate target is 2024 World Cup and also make sure that we are among the top 20 teams in the World. At the moment we are number 29, hopefully after this tournament we comeback and be above Kenya, and we got a process and roadmap in place on how we will go to that World Cup.”
Uganda will bank on the batting armory of Saud Islam, Riazat Ali Sha and Simon Sessazi who were the country’s best at the Tri Series.
Henry Ssenyondo who picked 10 wickets at the series, will lead the team’s attack with the ball.
After Malawi, the Cricket Cranes face Rwanda on Sunday, both Lesotho and Eswatini (October 19), Ghana (October 21) and Seychelles (October 22).
Team Squads:
Uganda – Deusd Muhumuza (c), Fred Achelam (wk), Richard Agamiire, Frank Akankwasa, Bilal Hassan, Saud Islam, Gerald Mubiru, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Nsubuga, Ronak Patel, Riazat Ali, Shah, Henry Ssenyondo, Simon Ssesazi, Kenneth Waiswa
Malawi – Moazzam Baig (c), Donnex Kansonkho (vc), Mohamed Abdulla, Chisomo Chete (wk), Mike Choamba, Waliyu Jackson, Alick Kansonkho, Gift Kansonkho, Michael Mwamadi, Leneck Nakomo, Gershom Ntambalika, Blessings Pondani, Chikondi Rice, Sami Sohail
