The 14-man Cricket Cranes squad headed for another key round of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) qualification journey was confirmed today for the upcoming ICC CWC Challenge League B tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Uganda heads into the August 6–19 assignment with confidence, momentum, and a clear objective: to maintain their position at the top of the Challenge League B standings and strengthen their push towards the next stage of the global qualification pathway.
The Cranes have enjoyed a remarkable campaign so far, sitting top of the table with 18 points from 10 matches after eight victories and two no-results (NR) across the opening two legs.
The Tanzania campaign is the result of months of structured preparation by the Cricket Cranes. Uganda began its build-up with a tour to Namibia earlier this year, followed by a High-Performance Tour to India a month ago, before returning home for intensive preparations through domestic competitions.
The team has benefited from National Championships, Elite League franchise competitions, inter-squad matches, match simulations, as well as specialist batting and bowling sessions.
Assistant Coach Jackson Ogwang believes the final squad represents players who consistently delivered when given opportunities.
“Quite a number of players put their hands up through training sessions, match simulations, and trial matches. The 14 have come out from the performances they produced in the matches they played, the tours, and the tournaments we have had at home through the leagues.”
Ogwang highlighted batting development as one of Uganda’s major areas of focus ahead of Tanzania.
“We wanted to get our batting game together. We want to go to Tanzania and make sure we score runs. We have put a lot of emphasis on batting skills, game simulations, and game situations that will help us pile up runs when needed.”
He added that the squad is physically and mentally prepared:
“The team is in good spirits. There are a few small knocks in camp, but that is being worked on. By the time we fly out, the boys will be ready to represent.”
Uganda enters Tanzania after completing the second leg of Challenge League B in Hong Kong unbeaten last year. The Cricket Cranes collected maximum points from the campaign, winning four matches, including a hard-earned 59-run victory over Tanzania in their final fixture.
The Cricket Cranes now turn their attention to Dar es Salaam, carrying the confidence of an unbeaten campaign, the backing of a nation, and the ambition to continue Uganda’s rise on the global cricket stage.
The tournament will bring together six teams in Dar es Salaam, with Uganda facing hosts Tanzania, Italy, Hong Kong China, Singapore, and Bahrain in what promises to be a defining stage of the competition.
TEAM UGANDA SQUAD
Squad: Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Kenneth Waiswa (Vice-Captain), Juma Miyaji, Fred Achelam (Wicket-keeper), Cyrus Kakuru (Wicket-keeper), Dinesh Nakrani, Joseph Baguma, Henry Ssenyondo, Sumeet Verma, Simon Ssesazi, Alpesh Ramjani, Cosmas Kyewuta, Gerald Olipa, Raghav Dhawan
Non-Travelling Reserves: Mathew Musinguzi, Robinson Obuya
TEAM UGANDA ITINERARY
Thursday, August 6: Arrival in Tanzania
Friday, August 7: Practice Session / Managers, Captains, and Coaches Meeting
Saturday, August 8: Uganda vs. Tanzania – UDSM Ground 1
Tuesday, August 11: Uganda vs. Italy – UDSM Ground 2
Wednesday, August 12: Uganda vs. Hong Kong China – UDSM Ground 2
Saturday, August 15: Uganda vs. Singapore – UDSM Ground 1
Tuesday, August 18: Uganda vs. Bahrain – UDSM Ground 2
Wednesday, August 19: Return to Uganda
Note: All matches will bowl off at 9:00 AM (EAT).
