After counting down for months and weeks, the Victoria series, a women’s T20 International Cricket tournament hosted by Uganda, is set to get underway.
The tournament was officially launched on Monday at the Nob View Hotel in Ntinda Kampala, with all five team captains showing readiness to compete and entertain the fans.
Chaya Mughal, the captain of the United Arab Emirates, the highest-ranked (15th) nation at the tournament, says the ranking tag will not pressure them as they want to take it game by game.
“Being the highest-ranked nation in this tournament doesn’t put any pressure on us. We are here to do our best and entertain everyone. We shall take one game at a time,” Mughal told Pulse Sports.
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Rwanda captain Diane Bimenyimana also expressed her team’s readiness to compete despite being the lowest-ranked team.
“We have prepared well; we are just from Nigeria for the T20 invitational, which has shaped us better for this tournament,” Bimenyimana noted.
Consy Aweko hopes to lead the Victoria Pearls and says the desire to earn a better ranking is the motivating factor.
“We know all the teams are prepared, but our motivation is to get a better ranking, and we can only do that by winning the tournament,” Aweko highlighted.
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Sharon Juma, the Kenya captain, also expressed her team’s readiness to compete, especially against the UAE.
“We are here to play good cricket, especially against the UAE, who we last played in 2016, so it will be an exciting game.”
Tanzania, ranked 16th, will be captained by Fatouma Oumari Kibasu, who says her team is ready to pick experience in the tournament.
“Every team here is ready like we are; the most important thing is to do our best in all our games.”
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Victoria Series: Captain Aweko raring to go
Victoria Pearls captain Consy Aweko is optimistic about her side putting a spirited display when the Victoria Series gets underway next week at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
This will be the second edition of the Victoria series, with the first one happened in 2019 and was won by Zimbabwe, who were unable to participate.
The winner of the Victoria series will earn an improved ranking in T20I cricket.
Full Squads
UAE: Chaya Mughal (Captain), Esha Oza, Kavisha Kumari Nanayakkarewasan Egodage, Theertha Satish, Kushi Mohan Sharma, Lavanya Keny, Vaishnave Mahesh, Indhuja Nandakumar, Archara Supriya, Avanee Sunil Patil, Sanchin, Geethika Jyothis, Rintha Rajith, Rishitha Rajith
Rwanda: Sarah Uwera, Diana Marie Bimenyimana (Captain), Alice Ikuzwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Merveille Uwase, Belise Murekatete, Clarrise Umutoniwase, Margueritte Vumiliya, Geovanis Uwase, Josiane Nyirakundineza, Sifa Ngabire, Henritte Therese Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Immaculee Muhawenimana
Uganda: Consy Aweko (Captain), Janet Mbabazi, Evelyn Anyipo, Irene Alumo, Patricia Malemikia, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Stephanie Nampiina, Gloria Obukor, Kevin Awino, Phiona Egaru Khulume, Sarah Akiteng, Rita Musamali
Tanzania: Fatuma Omary Kibasu (Captain), Hudaa Mrisho, Neema Justine, Mwanaidi Ammy Swedy, Monica Pascal Iddi, Saum Mtae, Sophia Frank Jerome, Shufaa Mohamedi, Zakayo, Kamunya, Agnes Joseph Qwele, Josephine Shirima, Mwapwani Mohamedi, Sonia Chachala, Josephine Shirima
Kenya: Sharon Juma (Captain), Daisy Njoroge, Venasa Ooko, Esther Wachira, Lavendah Idambo, Flavia Odhiambo, Ann Wanjira, Faith Mwende, Monica Ndhambi, Lynz Nabwire, Charity Muthoni, Kelvia Ogola, Mercy Ahono, Marion Juma
Team Rankings
Uganda - 21st
Kenya - 23rd
United Arab Emirates - 15th
Tanzania - 16th
Rwanda - 26th