ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Four is around the corner as it will commence from April 29. Preparation is done and dusted as 6 teams are all set to involve in busy cricketing schedule for a week. Host Malaysia, Uganda, Bermuda, Denmark, Vanuatu and Jersey are 6 nations who will write the script of this edition of Division Four.
Going through every teams squad and cricket’s pundits prediction, Uganda and host Malaysia are most strong contender for top two spots.
Uganda national cricket team, which is popularly know as Cricket Cranes, is surely looking to start another cycle of World Cricket League with fresh intent and energy. They are consistently placed in Division Two and Three in their young cricketing history, as they are associate member of ICC since 1998. They have given through task to every teams but failed to deliver in crucial phase to uplift themselves toward maximum height. Previous cycle of WCL was not productive for them as they started it from Division Two and ended up in Division Four. They will love to turnaround the scenario this time as they will start Division Four with a favourite’s tag along with them.
Bilal Hassan and Roger Mukasa hold the key as they are heading for Division Four’s fixture. Uganada Cricket had arranged four matches against Saudi, two of which were washed out. They suffered narrow defeat on first occasion as they lost the match by 12 runs. Batting was the reason behind their failure. If they should search for positive from that encounter, then it should impressive bowling show from Bilal Hassan as he bagged four scalps of opponent. On another clash with same opponent, skipper Roger Mukasa hinted batting improvement with unbeaten 59 runs inning. Bilal Hassan was again on tune with 3 wickets beside his name. He picked up 7 wickets in two matches and click the form before all important tournament.
They will face host Malaysia in tournament opener on 29th April. Host will face Uganda’s challenge on Kinrara Academy Oval. Uganda will then face Bermuda on UKM Cricket Oval a day after facing host. They will travel to Kuala Lumpur to face Vanuatu on 2nd May. They will travel back to Kinrara Oval to play against Denmark on May 3. They will face Jersey on last league fixture before heading to play-offs.
Senior author of Republica (well known newspaper of Nepal), Abhi Subedi (@AbhiSubediFCB) believe that Uganda will stun cricketing world within some years. Replying to our question for tournament’s contender, he quickly pronounced Uganda.
“I believe that Cricket Uganda have great future ahead and Division Four’s challenge shouldn’t be headache for such promising side”, He said. “But looking at the intent and raise of other teams like Vanuatu, they must remain at their best throughout the competition”, Abhi added.
Uganda Squad for ICC WCL4.
Roger Mukasa ( c)
Fred Achelam
Irfan Afridi
Bilal Hassun
Hamu Kayondo
Brian Masaba
Deusdedit Muhumuza
Frank Nsubuga
Riazat Shah
Henry Ssenyondo
Simon Ssesazi
Steven Wabwose
Charles Waiswa
Kenneth Waiswa.
Feature image – IDI/ Peter Lim
