It’s USA next for Uganda

Kampala.
Prior to flying out to Malaysia, captain Frank Nsubuga said the first three matches were going to be important at the ICC World Cricket League Division III. “We want to win the first three games, play hard and kill off the pressure,” said the 34-year-old all-rounder.

And with two opening 20 and one-run victories against favourites Nepal and banana skins Singapore, Nsubuga and company are right on track.

Although South African coach Peter Kirsten is one tactician who doesn’t love to tinker with the team, one cannot rule out a couple of changes as Uganda seek to stretch their unbeaten run to three when they face USA today.

Experienced Lawrence Ssematimba and bowling all-rounder Daniel Ruyange could get their chance as replacements for Naeem Bardai and Deus Muhumuza, who have not played to their full potential.
But with or without changes, the Cricket Cranes won’t need motivation for this clash since they believe that ICC literally moved the tournament from Uganda to Malaysia because of the Americans’ insistence that Uganda lacked security.

And as Nsubuga leads his team out of the dugout at the Selangor Turf Club in Klang Valley, 17km outside Kuala Lumpur, they will be hoping to exact some sort of revenge.

But USA will be no easy fodder with Usman Shuja, a Pakistan-born opening right-arm fast bowler that claimed man of match honours as USA defeated Bermuda by six wickets in their opener, and fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who has represented West Indies in Tests and ODIs, in their ranks.

Friday results
Bermuda 100/10 Nepal 101/2
(Nepal won by 8 wickets with 233 balls remaining)
USA 186/8 Malaysia 189/5
(Malaysia won by 5 wickets with 10 balls remaining)
Uganda 196/10 Singapore 195/9
(Uganda won by 1 run)

Today’s fixtures
At Selangor Turf Club
USA vs. Uganda 4:15am
At Kinrara Academy Oval
Malaysia vs. Bermuda 4:15am