UGANDA all-rounder , Gerald Olipa said his spell in Zimbabwe’s National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast has left him “more confident and better prepared” for the ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abuja, Nigeria, which runs from October 20-27.
Olipa, who has been playing for Takashinga 1, flies home on Saturday to join the Cricket Cranes’ preparations. His final week in Harare included a top score of 63 off 40 balls against Gladiators on Tuesday and 28 off 21 in Wednesday’s one-run win over Rimuka.
“As I prepare for the T20 World Cup qualifier in Abuja, I think I feel more confident and better prepared,” Olipa told Cricket Africa.
“Playing in Zim has given me valuable match experience, which I hope to take into the tournament and use to help the Cricket Cranes win many games and boost my stats as an individual.”
His 63 against Gladiators came in a losing cause. He hit six fours and two sixes and shared a 51-run third-wicket partnership with captain Roy Kaia as Takashinga posted 196/5. Gladiators, the defending champions, chased the total down with two balls to spare to win by two wickets.
“I was happy to contribute with the bat against the Gladiators, but cricket is a team game and it was disappointing to come so close and still lose,” he said.
“We learned from our experience, I can tell you.”
Takashinga responded a day later on Wednesday, defending 126 to beat Rimuka by one run. Spinner Ryan Simbi took 5/21 in that match.
“Today we were glad to bounce back against Rimuka defending 126,” Olipa said.
“It was not easy and the dressing room was tense right until the last ball. But the boys showed great character, belief and fighting spirit to win by one run.”
The win was not enough to take Takashinga into the playoffs. They finished fifth on six points, one behind Old Hararians.
Olipa is one of several African Associate players brought into this season’s NPL, an initiative credited by NPL manager Edward Rainsford to the leadership of Zimbabwe Cricket. Fellow Ugandan Juma Miyaji returned home earlier in the week with a shoulder injury.
Olipa encouraged more players from across the continent to follow him to Zimbabwe.
“It has been a great experience playing alongside Zimbabwean cricketers and I’ve learned a lot from them,” he said.
“I would encourage more Ugandans and African players to come and play in the NPL because it’s a great platform to develop, compete and grow as a cricketer.”
