The Cricket Cranes team for the first edition of the East African T20 Series has been named with some new faces.
One of the seasoned guns in Brian Masaba will captain the side for the tournament that features hosts Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Going forward, it will be an annual event to feature teams from the region as preparation for various international engagements.
The side of 14 features two debutants in Ronald Lutaaya and Cyrus Kakuru who both were part of the U-19 World Cup Squad early this year.
Pascal Murungi and Joseph Baguma who were part of the Cranes T20 Africa Cup winning squad keep their places in the team.
Injured senior players such as; Riazat Ali Shah (finger), Fred Achellam (muscle), and Deus Muhumuza (knee) will miss out on the tournament.
Roger Mukasa who has been in prolific form in the internal games makes a return to the side since the Global T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
“With more changes, the growth of depth is foremost in our minds. A few injuries have allowed opportunities for some young players who have put up their hands in the last couple of months and it will be exciting to see them compete against some seasoned professionals,” Head Coach Laurence Mahatlane noted.
The tournament will run from the 11th of December till the 24th of the same month and will be hosted by the iconic Gahanga Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
CRICKET CRANES SQUAD:
Brian Masaba, Kenneth Waiswa, Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta, Joseph Baguma, Pascal Murungi, Ronald Lutaaya, Cyrus Kakuru, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga, Bilal Hassun, Alpesh Ramjani.
THE FIXTURES:
13/12/2022: Uganda v Tanzania @13:45
14/12/2022: Rwanda v Uganda @9:30
15/12/2022: Kenya v Uganda @9:30
16/12/2022: Uganda v Tanzania @9:30
17/12/2022: Rwanda v Uganda @13:45
18/12/2022: Kenya v Uganda @13:45
20/12/2022: Uganda v Tanzania @13:45
21/12/2022: Uganda v Rwanda @9:30
22/12/2022: Uganda v Kenya @9:30
24/12/2022: 3rd/4th Play Off @9:30
24/12/2022: Finals @13:45
