A squad of 14 Victoria Pearls players has been released by the Uganda Cricket Association ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers set to bowl off on 9th December.
Teenagers Lorna Anyait and Malisa Ariokot who made their national team debuts in June at the Kwibuka Memorial in Rwanda retain their places in the team, but shockingly, there’s no place for ever present and dependable all-rounder Phionah Kulume.
Gloria Obukor is the other notable absentee from the final squad. The Aziz Damani opener also missed out on the Kwibuka tournament.
Esther Iloku and Sarah Akiteng however, make their return to the team. The duo missed out on the Kwibuka tournament.
Meet The Final 14:
— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) December 4, 2023
Name: Malisa Ariokot
Age: 16
Debut: Uganda W v Rwanda W 2023
Home Town: Soroti
Craft: Batting All-rounder
Come with a friend, #JanguNeMunno #WeBackTheVictoriaPearls pic.twitter.com/eiZQEUPtCj
With three youngsters making the final squad, Lawrence Ssematimba‘s team is a blend of young blood and experience. They will be captained by long serving spinner Consy Aweko.
Uganda will compete against six other nations including tournament favourites Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana for a place in the global qualifiers.
They get their campaign underway on Sunday 10th in a Group B encounter against neighbors Rwanda at the Green Oval in Entebbe.
The Victoria Pearls are trying to emulate their male counterparts, the Cricket Cranes, by qualifying for the World Cup for the very first time.
This Qualifier is a pathway to next year’s World Cup in Bangladesh. The top two teams from this Qualifier will book their spots in the global qualifiers that will take place early next year in Dubai.
The squad in full
Courtesy Photos
