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Dynamic all rounder, Riazat Ali Shah has been named Captain of the Cricket Cranes ahead of International Cricket Council Challenge League B first round set to be held In Uganda.
This came to light when Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) announced the Uganda squad to represent Uganda in the crucial tournament set to take place at Lugogo and Entebbe Oval from November 4th to 16th, 2024.
Riazat, who has been a member of the national team for seven years, steps into the leadership role after serving as vice-captain under former captain Brian Masaba.
Riazat Ali Shah batting at the T20 ICC World Cup.
Masaba, who led Uganda in the ICC Men’s World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, stepped down after the event.
“It is not going to be a challenging job for me,” said Shah.
“Everyone on this team knows their role and strives to execute it.” He added
Concluding that; “The captaincy is an additional responsibility, but we are all working toward the same goal—achieving One Day International (ODI) status.”
However the squad, selected by head coach Abhay Sharma includes a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent.
The notable additions include; Shrideep Mangela and Raghav Dhawan, both of whom played during Uganda’s recent series against Papua New Guinea.
Pascal Murungi, a former U-19 captain, also returns to the side after a stellar stint in Zimbabwe.
The Challenge League B tournament is a critical pathway to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Uganda have a final three-match warm-up series against Bahrain in Jinja before the official tournament begins.
Cricket Cranes Squad
Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Fred Achelam (Wicketkeeper), Juma Miyaji, Shrideep Mangela, Frank Nsubuga, Brian Masaba, Raghav Dhawan, Cosmas Kyewuta, Robinson Obuya, Alpesh Ramjani, Pascal Murungi, Henry Ssenyondo, Dineash Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa
Reserves
Joseph Baguma, Cyrus Kakuru
Bahrain’s tour of Uganda
October 26: Arrival in Jinja
October 28: T20I vs. Uganda
October 29: T20I vs. Uganda
October 31: 50-Over Match vs. Uganda
Uganda’s fixtures
Nov 6: Uganda vs. Singapore, Lugogo
Nov 9: Uganda vs. Tanzania, Lugogo
Nov 10: Uganda vs. Hong Kong, Lugogo
Nov 13: Uganda vs. Italy, Entebbe
Nov 16: Uganda vs. Bahrain, Entebbe
