Uganda target third straight ILT20 Cup crown in Kigali tournament

Uganda will defend its ILT20 Cup title in Kigali from September 1 to 14, with the Cricket Cranes aiming to win the competition for a third successive time. The hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Nigeria will provide the opposition in the seven-team tournament.

Riazat Ali Shah remains Uganda’s captain, while Kenneth Waiswa continues as vice-captain. The leadership pairing will oversee a squad that has been substantially changed after Uganda’s appearance at the Challenge League B tournament in Tanzania.

Simon Ssesazi, Henry Ssenyondo, Raghav Dhawan, Dinesh Nakrani, Sumeet Verma and Alpesh Ramjani are not included this time. Their absence marks a significant shift from the group used in Tanzania as head coach Steve Tikolo prepares a different combination for the title defence.

Robinson Obuya, Ronald Lutaaya, Anas Baig, Charles Mushemeza, Enock Kasaija, Matthew Musinguzi and Fahad Mutagana have been brought into the Cricket Cranes squad. The selection gives the seven players an opportunity to represent Uganda in the Kigali tournament.

Joseph Baguma, Gerald Olipa, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta and Cyrus Kakuru retain their places from the Tanzania event. Olipa is the youngest member of the group, while the squad also includes returning players with established roles in Uganda’s setup.

The complete 14-player squad is led by Riazat and Waiswa, followed by Miyaji, Kyewuta, Baguma, Olipa, Kakuru, Kasaija, Musinguzi, Mutagana, Lutaaya, Obuya, Mushemeza and Baig. Uganda’s status as defending champion gives the team the chance to extend its run, but it must finish above six challengers, including hosts Rwanda, to claim another ILT20 Cup.