Cricket Uganda Names 14-Player Victoria Pearls Squad for Canada Series
CRICKET Uganda has announced a 14-player Victoria Pearls squad for the upcoming Bilateral Series against Canada, which starts on 18 October at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
The team, led by captain Janet Mbabazi, has a few changes from the one that finished fourth at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Namibia last month.
Young spinner Sarah Tino, fellow spinner Teddy Oyella, and former U19 captain Jimia Mohammed return to the squad. However, there is no place for all-rounders Phionah Kulume Egura and Malisa Ariokot, who both featured in the Namibia tournament.
Teen opener Irene Mutonyi, who played at the qualifiers, will miss this series as she prepares for her Uganda Certificate Examinations.
All-rounder Naume Amongin has retained her spot. The 2023 league MVP had a tough debut after conceding 17 runs in her only over against Tanzania during the qualifiers. Although she didn’t play again in the tournament, the selectors have kept faith in her abilities.
This will be the Victoria Pearls’ first outing since the qualifiers in Namibia, and the team will be looking to regain confidence ahead of next month’s Emerging Trophy in Thailand.
Former captain Consy Aweko said the series will be key in preparing for upcoming competitions.
“Since the qualifiers in Namibia, we’ve had enough time to reflect on our performance as a team and identify where we went wrong,” Aweko said.
“Canada might be ranked below us, but this series is a very important tournament for us as it will help us evaluate ourselves as we prepare for the Emerging tournament in Thailand.”
Victoria Pearls Squad:
Janet Mbabazi (Cpt), Kevin Awino, Esther Iloku, Stephanie Nampiina, Sarah Tino, Consy Aweko, Kevin Amuge, Jimia Mohammed, Teddy Oyella, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Sarah Akiteng, Proscovia Alako, Naume Amongin, and Rita Musamali.
