Uganda Cricket Association on Thursday named their travelling squad to Jersey for the ICC Cricket Challenge League B third round, and the biggest absentee on the team was captain Brian Masaba.
The fielding all-rounder who fractured his finger during fielding training while in Zimbabwe failed to pass a late fitness test.
It should be remembered that Masaba didn’t play a game at the T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers that were held in Zimbabwe last month.
There was hope the skipper would recover in time for the third round of the Challenge League B, unfortunately, that’s not happened.
His leadership and experience will definitely be missed, but the good news is that his assistant Deus Muhumuza is back on the team.
Muhumuza, due to an injury he sustained in Uganda’s first game in the second round of the Challenge League B that was held here in Kampala, last month missed out on the Zimbabwe trip, but returns to lead the team.
In Masaba’s absence, Muhumuza takes up the captaincy role.
Roger Mukasa is the other absentee in the team. Mukasa was dropped after his disappointing performance in Zimbabwe. Arnold Otwani makes the team in place of Mukasa.
The 14-man Squad includes Kenneth Waiswa, Arnold Otwani, Ronak Patel, Dinesh Nakrani, Riazat Ali Sha, Frank Nsubuga, Bilal Hassan, Fred Acelam, Cosmos Kyewuta, Henry Ssenyondo, Simon Ssesazi, Deus Muhumuza, Juma Miyaji and Frank Akankwasa is set to depart for Europe on Monday, August 1 four days before it’s first game.
Uganda will battle the hosts in their opening game hoping to remain in the driving seat. Uganda heading into that round led the table with 16 points.
Hot on the heels is Hong Kong with 15 and Jersey with 14. Kenya, Italy and Bermuda are the other group members.
The Challenge League B is a pathway for next year’s Cricket World Cup that will be played in India.
