Calvin Watuwa, Musinguzi poised for senior debut as Cricket cranes eye Glory at POA

Former Jinja SS student and current Rounders player Calvin Watuwa is set to earn his first senior national team cap in the upcoming Pearl of Africa Series.

The second edition of this tournament, hosted in Uganda, features formidable opposition, including Nigeria, the UAE, Kenya, and Namibia. Watuwa’s selection reflects his consistent rise through domestic and international ranks.

The right-handed all-rounder has represented several clubs, including Charity, Tornado, Challengers, and Jinja SS. In 2023, he featured in Zimbabwe’s national league with Bulawayo Athletic Club and was part of the Uganda Emerging side that triumphed at the inaugural RCA Invitational in Kigali last November.

Though new to the senior team, Watuwa previously represented Uganda at development tours to OMTEX and Sanjay Farm in India (2020) and was part of the U-23 side that toured Kigali in 2018.

Joining Calvin Watuwa in making a senior debut is Mathew Musinguzi from Aboojo, another promising talent.

A member of Uganda’s 2022 U-19 World Cup squad, Musinguzi has steadily grown through domestic cricket and steps in for the unavailable Henry Ssenyondo.

Leading the Cricket Cranes will be pacer Juma Miyagi, who takes over the captaincy in the absence of Riazat Ali Shah due to injury.

Miyagi, who made his senior debut in 2023, briefly led the team during the IL T20 tournament in Kigali and is now tasked with steering the national side in a major international competition.

Known for his pace and lower-order batting, his leadership marks a new chapter in his rapid rise.

The squad also welcomes back Ronald Lutaya, who returns after debuting during last year’s Namibia tour.

A traveling reserve at the T20 World Cup, Lutaya will battle for a top-order role alongside Robinson Obuya and Raghav Dhawan.

Fellow reserve Innocent Mwebaze, a pace bowler with previous injury setbacks, has another chance to prove himself as a frontline option.

With a blend of youth and experience, the Cricket Cranes are focused on expanding their player pool ahead of the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe this September.

Spin duties will be handled by veterans Frank Nsubuga and Alpesh Ramjani, while Cyrus Kakuru takes over wicketkeeping responsibilities from Fred Achelam.

The Pearl of Africa Series offers Uganda a prime platform to showcase depth and prepare for future international challenges, and it should be noted that Uganda won the first edition in 2021 after beating Kenya in the finals.

Cricket Cranes Squad

Juma Miyagi (Captain), Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Shrideep Mangela, Raghav Dhawan, Joseph Baguma, Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaya, Matthew Musinguzi, Robinson Obuya, Frank Nsubuga, Cosmas Kyewuta, Cyrus Kakuru, Calvin Watuwa

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