Cricket Cranes take WC ambitions to Bulawayo
Right Path. Coach Laurence Mahatlane (R) listens to top order batsman Ronak Patel during a training session at Lugogo Cricket Oval earlier this week. Patel is part of the Cricket Cranes leadership group that will have a lot of thinking to do in Zimbabwe. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO
Playing at the World Cup is epitome of any athlete’s career and although it remains a hard feat to accomplish, the Cricket Cranes fly out to Zimbabwe for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup Global Qualifier daring to dream differently. At the eight-nation showpiece in Bulawayo from July 9-18, there are only two tickets to Melbourne, Australia for the ‘Holy Grail’ – something coach Laurence Mahatlane believes is achievable.
“We have set our KPI’s for different formats and I believe the boys are adjusting well to the different formats,” said Mahatlane. “We have worked hard the whole year in anticipation of this busy schedule so the key is to make sure we are fresh. The dream of reaching the World Cup is alive and we believe that we can make it come true.”
The Cricket Cranes will open their campaign against Hong Kong on July 11, lock horns with Papua New Guinea on the following day before wrapping up their Group B games against highly-rated Netherlands.
Representing The Pearl. Kansai Plascon MD Gumte (front row 2nd L), Marketing Manager Kayonho (3rd R), new UCA CEO Alan Mugume (front row L) share a picture moment with the team soon after being flagged off by NCS official Katende. PHOTO/INNO NDAWULA
It is that sort of tournament; ‘You snooze, you lose.’ But Cricket Cranes sponsors; Kansai Plascon Uganda MD Santosh Gumte, Marketing Manager Daniel Kayongo, UCA CEO Alan Mugume and National Council of Sports Assistant General Secretary David Katende Ssemakula were all confident Uganda can punch above its weight at the Global Qualifier.
ICC T20 WORLD CUP GLOBAL QUALIFIER
UGANDA’S FIXTURES July 11: Hong Kong vs. Uganda - 2pm, Bulawayo Athletic Club
July 12: Papua New Guinea vs. Uganda - 2pm, Bulawayo Athletic Club
July 14: Netherlands vs. Uganda - 10am, Queens Sports Club
SQUAD TO ZIMBABWE
1. Brian Masaba (captain), 2. Roger Mukasa, 3. Simon Ssesazi, 4. Ronak Patel, 5. Dinesh Nakrani, 6. Riazat Ali Shah, 7. Fred Achelam, 8. Frank Akankwasa, 9. Frank Nsubuga, 10. Henry Ssenyondo, 11. Juma Miyaji, 12. Cosmas Kyewuta, 13. Bilal Hassun 14. Kenneth Waiswa
