Uganda Cricket Association, UCA, has named a 14-player Victoria Pearls squad for the annual Kwibuka Women’s T20 tournament set to bowl off on 8th June in Kigali, Rwanda.
Three players who excelled at the recently concluded National Girls Schools Cricket Week have been handed an opportunity to represent their country at a senior level.
They include wicket keeper batter Jimia Mohammed, all-rounder, 16-year-old Malisa Ariokot and Lorna Anyait.
Jimia captained the U19 side that played at the U19 World Cup Regional Qualifiers that were held last year in Botswana where Uganda finished fourth. Both Anyait and Malisa were part of that team.
At the Cricket Week, Jimia was named the best wicket keeper with 9 wicket catches while Anyait recorded 94 runs from 9 matches. Ariokot meanwhile had 107 runs and 9 wickets to her name.
The trio replace Esther Iloku, Sarah Akiteng and Gloria Obukor who were part of the Victoria Pearls team that won the Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular Series in Namibia last month.
Aside from those three changes, the team that triumphed in Namibia remains intact. Sarah Walaza and Susan Kakai will have to wait a little longer for their return to the national team.
Uganda won the first edition of this tournament in 2014, but since 2016- their second time to win the competition, Uganda has not won this competition again.
They will be hoping to end that six-year drought when the event gets underway at the Gahanga stadium.
The tournament will feature hosts Rwanda, record winners Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana and Uganda, and the Victoria Pearls open their campaign against Kenya at the Kicukiro Cricket Oval on June 10.
Current trophy holders Tanzania will not defend their title after withdrawing at the very last moment. Namibia is the other nation that withdrew from competition.
The summoned team in full.
Proscovia Alako
Irene Alumo
Kevin Awino
Janet Mbabazi
Consy Aweko
Patricia Malemekia
Immaculate Nakisuuyi
Evelyn Anyipo
Stephanie Nampiina
Rita Musamali
Phiona Kulume
Malisa Ariokot
Lorna Anyait
Jimia mohammed
