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With all said and done, fist pumps and hugs of excitement over seeing each other again, last training sessions at the theatre of Ugandan cricket Lugogo, the real action rises with the dawn this 18th April 2023.
United Arab Emirates versus Kenya
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First up, tournament favourites the United Arab Emirates walk into this event as the highest-ranked team but with a big ‘Bull’s eye’ on their backs, with every team looking to get one over this very well-coached and grilled team.
With the winds of silent whispers around the hotel buzzing about the UAE favourites, no more enormous roar screams louder than the presence of the hard-hitting all-rounder and ICC Female Associate cricketer of 2022, Esha Rohit Oza, the Vice-captain of the UAE who will be expected to add to her tally of 21 T20 career 6s and light up Lugogo Cricket Oval.
The UAE is not short of quality with the presence of their captain Chaya Mughal, Khushi Sharma and 17-year-old sensation Mahika Gaur, left-arm opening bowler.
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18:06 - 15.04.2023
CRICKET The 14 Pearls set to represent Uganda at the Victoria Series
The Victoria series, which Uganda will host, is finally here; five countries will battle for the top spot with a better ranking at stake. Pulse Sports brings you the 14 Ugandan female cricketers going to represent Uganda.
A look at the Kenyan squad, it is evident from the absence of numerous notable names, particularly the only two players to make the first Victoria Series Team of the Tournament, Margret Ngoche and Queentor Abel, that Cricket Kenya has turned a page and are exploring a transition to allow the new young players an opportunity at the big stage with the stewardship of Captain Sharon Juma and Daisy Wairimu who will be expected to provide nothing short of inspiration.
In Kenya, you will find a seasoned tactician in Francis Othieno, whose track record with women’s cricket speaks for itself, having previously won the Africa T20 Cup with the Victoria Pearls.
Uganda versus Rwanda
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Two teams that come into this tournament with significant momentum should make for a mouth-watering contest for the neutral fan.
Rwanda is a very well-led side by Diane Bimenyimana and is already having an exceptional 2023 following their fantastic inaugural appearance in the U19 World Cup; then, they had a series in Lagos which many thought they should have won, and most significantly, they possess the ICC Associate Female Cricketer of the month Henriette Ishimwe.
The supporting cast of Gisele Ishimwe, Belise Murekatete, and the experience of Sarah Uwera will make up the core of the side expected to throw a cat among the pigeons.
Easily the best Victoria Pearls team ever assembled, the selectors have opted not to tinker with a winning formula that brought Uganda joy in the Kenya Invitational in December last year.
At full strength on the pitch, as the Victoria Pearls are, no chances are being taken by UCA, evidenced by the additions of Cricket Cranes coach and High-Performance Manager Laurence Mahatlane and Deus Muhumuza as team analysts.
A new blueprint of an attacking brand of cricket coupled with improved cricket awareness should give the home team the edge, factoring in the 12 months of personal success of the spin duo of Captain Consy Aweko, Sarah Akiteng, and the all-round dominance of Janet Mbabazi.
Facts
Kenya have never played against UAE, so this will be the first of many to come
A Uganda cricket team has not won its international fixture at Lugogo since the Cricket Cranes beat Ghana in the Africa T20 Qualifiers in 2011.
Uganda hasn’t won its first game in an international tournament in Lugogo since 2011 against Ghana
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