Six Under-19 players join Victoria Pearls Squad for Kwibuka Tournament

As the Victoria Pearls prepare to represent Uganda at the annual Kwibuka Women’s T20 International Tournament, six under-19 players have been selected to join the squad.

Among them is Lorna Anyait, the Girls Schools Cricket Week Player of the Tournament, and Jimia Mohammad Abadallah, the Best Wicketkeeper from the same event.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jimia Mohammad made her senior debut on April 25, 2022, in Windhoek, Namibia, against Namibia Women’s team.

Internationally, she has batted in just four innings, scoring 35 runs for the senior side.

Additionally, Jimia captained the Baby Victoria Pearls in Botswana in 2022.

Malisa Ariokot has also been included, while Immaculate Nandera, who was part of the Victoria Pearls team while at the ICWC Institute in Omtex early this year and the African Games, returns to the squad.

Notably, Nandera has only played one match for Uganda against the Omtex team and she did not feature in any of the games in Ghana and she will be eyeing an international debut in Rwanda.

Akurut Asumin, a top-order batter for Olila High School, and Patricia Timong, who played for Light SS as they won the nationals, will make their national team debuts in Kigali next week.

To accommodate these young talents, several players have been left out of the squad.

Gloria Obukor, who traveled with the team for the Global Qualifiers last month but did not play any single match, misses this opportunity.

Evelyn Anyipo, Sarah Akiteng, and Phiona Khulume have also been excluded to make way for the newcomers.

A notable exclusion is Iloku Esther, who only played one match in Dubai against USA but has scored the second-highest number of runs among the ladies in all practice matches this year, with 183 runs, just behind Immaculate Nakisuyi.

Her absence is surprising, as the Kwibuka Tournament could have been a platform for her to shine.

Noteworthy the changes have exclusively impacted only Soroti Cricket Academy players.

The squad changes reflect a strategic decision to integrate young talent, showcasing the team’s commitment to nurturing future stars.

With the under-19 girls facing World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda this year, their inclusion might help them adapt to the conditions better.

The Victoria Pearls, record holders of the Kwibuka Tournament, will play their first game in Rwanda on May 30th in the afternoon against Botswana.

Here is the full squad:

1. Janet Mbabazi (C)

2. Rita Musamali

3. Immaculate Nakisuyi

4. Stephanie Nampiina

5. Proscovia Alako

6. Consy Aweko

7. Kevin Awino

8. Sarah Walaza

9. Malisa Ariokot

10. Patricia Timong

11. Jimia Muhammad

12. Asumin Akurut

13. Lorna Anyait

14. Immaculate Nandera