After several postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second round of the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B is finally upon us.
The tournament that will have six countries including Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya, Bermuda and hosts Uganda will get underway from June 14 and climax on June 28 at the Lugogo and Kyambogo cricket ovals, in Kampala.
This round was initially supposed to be held in 2021 in Jersey, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it had to be postponed.
Uganda was the beneficiary here as ICC named the East African nation hosts.
Heading into this round, Uganda leads Group B with ten points after winning all its games in the first round that was held in Oman. The hosts are in a commanding position and Head coach Laurence Mahatlane is upbeat.
“We have been getting ready for this tournament for the last two years,” Mahatlane told the media.
“Everything we have done and been doing has been in preparation for this tournament. We want to build on the good work done by the boys in Oman and therefore the opportunity is there for us to make Ugandans proud at home,” he added.
The competition is a qualifying pathway for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup that will be held in India.
Still, a long way to go for all these nations as only the top team from the group proceeds to the next qualifying stage that will have the bottom four teams from the League 2 Championships and the Challenge League B Group A toppers.
Uganda’s squad is a blend of experienced players and youngsters with 19-year-old Juma Miyaji the youngest of all.
The full squad:
Brian Masaba (Captain), Deus Muhumuza, Frank Nsubuga,Ronak Patel, Dinesh Nakrani, Riazat Ali Shah, Henry Ssenyondo, Cosmas Kyewuta, Juma Miyagi, Kenneth Waiswa, Frank Akankwasa, Fred Achellam, Emmanuel Hasahya and Simon Ssesazi.
