Uganda Cricket Cranes are on the verge of completing an unbeaten run in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B as they take on Tanzania in their final match at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Saturday at 4 AM EAT.
With 16 points and a dominant tournament campaign, Uganda will be looking to wrap up their journey on a high note.
The Cricket Cranes have been in imperious form, winning all their completed matches. Their only setbacks came in the form of washouts against Hong Kong and Italy, but their performances have kept them at the summit of the standings.
Their previous encounter with Tanzania in November 2024 at Lugogo Oval ended in a crushing 209-run victory, courtesy of a century from captain Riazat Ali Shah and a five-wicket haul from Cosmas Kyewuta.
Despite that emphatic win, wicketkeeper Fred Achelam is not taking anything for granted. “We don’t want to take the game against Tanzania for granted. Anything can happen. They have played some really close shaves against us before in Rwanda and South Africa, and they know our game pretty well. We will look to use our seniority to edge them. We will have to do the simple things correctly and get the desired victory,” Achelam said.
Head coach Abhay Sharma echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for the team to stay focused and enjoy the process.
“We would like to have a positive result on our side. But as a coach, I never want to put pressure on my team for results. I want them to enjoy as they go through the processes,” Sharma stated.
The coach also hinted at possible changes in the starting XI, with final selections to be made based on conditions assessed on the morning of the match. The weather in Mong Kok is expected to be favorable, with partly cloudy skies and a high of 23°C.
With history on their side and a strong squad led by in-form players like Alpesh Ramjani, Raghav Dhawan, and Henry Ssenyondo, Uganda will be eager to cap off their Challenge League B campaign with another win and take a major step toward the ODI-rated playoffs for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Probable Uganda XI:
Riazat Ali Shah (c), Raghav Dhawan, Cyrus Kakuru, Shrideep Mangela, Juma Miyaji, Dinesh Nakrani, Cosmas Kyewuta, Robinson Obuya, Alpesh Ramjani, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga
12th Man: Fred Achelam
