Injury cuts short Miyagi’s NPL stint as Uganda seamer races to be fit for Abuja
UGANDA’S Juma Miyagi has been ruled out of the rest of Zimbabwe’s NPL T20 Blast with a shoulder injury. The setback puts him in a race against time to be fit for the ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abuja, Nigeria, from October 20-27.
Miyagi is in Uganda’s squad for the qualifier. He is flying home this afternoon so that the Cricket Cranes’ medical team can assess the injury before the tournament.
“I’ve been ruled out for the NPL Season 5 because of my shoulder. I’ve gotten some discomfort on my shoulder, which hurts a lot,” Miyagi who had been playing for Old Hararians told Cricket Africa shortly before departure.
“I talked to my physio and the coaches, so what they suggested is I should get back home and maybe they could assess it real quick before the qualifiers and for them to make sure that I’m ready for the qualifiers in the next couple of days.”
With a week to go before the qualifier starts, Uganda will be anxious for good news on his fitness. His early exit is also a blow to one of the main purposes of bringing African Associate players into the NPL this season: giving them competitive match practice before Abuja.
Despite the disappointment, Miyagi said his time in Zimbabwe had sharpened his game. He described the NPL as a step up from domestic cricket in Uganda.
“If you could compare the level of cricket here and back home, I think here it’s more competitive being that Zimbabwe is an ODI side and, you know, playing in an ODI country, definitely you’ll find lots of cricketers that give all they can and make sure that they want to improve on their game for them to represent the country,” he said.
“So, for me, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to come and play here in Zimbabwe. It has given me a good chance to improve on my skill. Unfortunately, due to my injury, I couldn’t master more of it.”
Miyagi said he would return to Old Hararians “with one heart” if given the chance. He spoke warmly of the welcome he received in a dressing room that includes Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza, whom he calls a friend.
“If I’m given a chance to come back and represent the Old Hararians, I would definitely come with one heart because they have really shown me a good heart and it’s a very strong team,” he said.
“Raza is a friend of mine and I’ve really had some good time with him and yeah, it’s really been nice being with the boys and I would definitely love to come back.”
His comments echo those of NPL manager Edward Rainsford. On Monday, Rainsford said the African Associate players were “so happy to be here” and expressed the hope that more would follow.
