Uganda international Juma Miyaji has joined Gulf Giants for Season Four of the DP World International League T20, becoming the first Ugandan selected for the competition. The 22 year old arrived in Dubai on Wednesday after being drafted through a new developmental pathway created for ICC Associate Members ahead of the tournament starting December 2.
Miyaji links up with a squad stacked with global names, including Gerhard Erasmus, Blessing Muzarabani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, and Liam Dawson. His selection comes under an ILT20 program that nominated one player from each of Africas Associate nations, with all player costs covered by the organisers.
Cricket officials say the opportunity follows sustained engagement between ILT20 leadership and African boards. Former Uganda Cricket Association boss Bashir Ansasiira, now chair of ILT20 Africa, helped forge the pathway that led to Miyajis inclusion.
UCA chairman Jackson Kavuma described the call up as a landmark moment for the sport. He said the fast bowler has the discipline and work ethic to represent Uganda well and create further opportunities for local players. CU confirmed Miyaji has already completed two training sessions with the franchise and settled into camp.
Miyaji, who has featured at both the ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup and the senior Mens T20 World Cup, said the draft is another step in his development. He noted that training alongside established internationals will push him to compete for a place in the matchday squad.
He joins fellow Associate nominees Katlo Piet, Samuel Conteh, Martin Akayezu, Francis Mutua, Peter Aho, and Mohammed Issa ahead of a schedule that will take Gulf Giants across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah for 30 round robin fixtures.
