The Victoria Pearls made their maiden trip to Asia ahead of their Monday T20 game against Nepal Women at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.
The female cricket national side will play a total of five games with the hosts between 16th to 21 before returning home.
The Victoria Pearls have just returned from the Capricorn Tri-Series in Namibia and this will be their second international event this year.
The ladies will get their 1st experience of playing in Asia against Nepal women who are ranked 16th in the World.
The Victoria Pearls dropped down to 21st from 19th in the current rankings due to a tough series in Namibia.
There are only two changes from the side that travelled to Namibia with Jimia Mohammad and Naomi Kayondo missing out, their replacements being Sarah Walaza and Franklin Najjumba.
Consy Aweko and Janet Mbabazi will be Captain and Vice-Captain for the team respectively.
Opportunity for Victoria Pearls to growThe return of veteran Najjumba who had an impressive show with the bat for Wanderers during the Ladies T20 tournament add some more experience to the side.
“In line with our vision to achieve international success, we are looking to grow the women’s game in the line with the successes of the men,” Martin Ondeko CEO Uganda Cricket Association noted.”Playing a higher ranked team like Nepal will provide an opportunity to improve on our current ranking. We are also building relationships by breaking into the Asian market through this tour,” he added.
The 5T20I series has international status hence a chance of picking up ranking points for either side.
This is a good opportunity for the Victoria Pearls to improve on their current ranking as they look ahead of the next World Cup qualifiers.
The experience of playing in Asia should also help Consy Aweko and her developing side get the exposure of playing out of their comfort zones as they look at exposing some of the new players in the side.
Phiona Kulume, Patricia Malemikia, Evelyn Anyipo and Janet Mbabazi were stand out performers in Namibia and they will be key players for the Victoria Pearls.
On a bright note, Shuya Pads has provided the girls with all the sanitary needs for the tour.
The Full Team:Consy Nimungu Aweko (Captain), Janet Mbabazi (Vice-Captain), Kevin Awino, Rita Musamali, Patricia Malemikia, Phiona Egaru Kulume, Sarah Akiteng, Susan Kakai, Rita Elizabeth Nyagendo, Franklin Najjumba, Leona Mirembe Babirye, Evelyn Anyipo, Shakirah Sadick and Sarah Walaza.
Courtesy Photos
