The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cricket squad arrived in the country yesterday afternoon for a fivr game series with the Cricket Cranes.
The Emirates team will play four ODIs and one T20 game with the Cricket Cranes as both sides prepare for different qualifying tournaments.
The Cricket Cranes are preparing for the Division 4 qualifying tournament in Malaysia due next month while the emirates side has the Asian T20 World Cup qualifiers.
The Cricket Cranes will be led by Roger Mukasa and assisted by Brian Masaba who have been in charge since the tour to Rwanda last year.
The selected squad for the Saudi Arabia series remains mostly unchanged from the side that toured Qatar and India in February.
Given that the series will be played during a holiday, there will be close scrutiny of the team as lots of people are anticipated to watch the games.
There will be added pressure on the likes of Fred Achelam (the new new wicketkeeper) who will make his home debut for the Cricket Cranes and Kenneth Waiswa.
The series will kick off with a UCA Chairman’s XI taking on the Saudi Arabia team in a T20 game tomorrow afternoon at the University Oval in Kyambogo.
The series will then shift to Lugogo for the 50 over games.
UCA Chairman’s XI FOR T20 MATCH
Derrick Bakunzi (captain), Zephaniah Arinaitwe, Arthur Ziraba, Steven Wabwose, Falak Sher, Rogers Olipa, Jonathan Ssebanja, Emmanuel Isaneez, Abdallah Lubega, Frank Akankwasa, David Wabwire, Aneef Mohammed, Trevor Bukenya, Juma Miyagi
UGANDA SQUAD FOR 50-OVER SERIES
Roger Mukasa (captain), Brian Masaba (vice-captain), Hamu Kayondo, Simon Ssesaazi, Shahzad Kamal, Deus Muhumuza, Riazat Shah, Irfan Afridi, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga, Kenneth Waiswa, Fred Achelam, Charles Waiswa, Bilal Hassan.
Reserves: Emmanuel Isaneez & Steven Wabwose
SAUDI ARABIA TOUR OF UGANDA
Saudi Arabia Squad: Muhammad Afzal (captain), Inayat Saeed (vice-captain, Imran Arif, Faisal Khan, Usman Ali, Imran Yousuf, Sajid Imran Cheema, Moazam Shaukat, Abu Huraira, Ihsan Ullah, Zeeshan Sarfraz Butt, Samiullah Niazi
Coach: Arron Ward
Team Manager: Liaquat Ali