The squad of 15 players, led by Captain Janet Mbabazi and assisted by Rita Musamali, is gearing up for their second appearance at the T20 Women’s Global Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi. Their inaugural participation was in 2018 in the Netherlands.
Heading the technical team is Lawrence Semantimba, with Deus Muhumuza serving as his assistant.
“We expect a good performance from the girls since we had a few changes within the team; this is part of growth. Adding Prosscovia Alako is a significant contribution because she brings strength to the team. She’s been working on her batting skills, which have improved immensely.” – Deus Muhumuza, Assistant Coach
Uganda finds itself in Group A alongside Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and USA. Sri Lanka, ranked 7th in the world, stands as the highest-ranked team in the tournament. Thailand follows at 12th, Scotland at 14th, with the USA at 20th and Uganda at 18th.
Today, the Minister of State for Sport in the Uganda Cabinet flagged off the team at the MTN Lugogo Arena, expressing his full support. He pledged to collaborate with the government to bolster the team and declared himself a staunch fan of the Victoria Pearls. He also urged them to secure a spot at the T20 World Cup.
Recently appointed Captain Janet Mbabazi received positive feedback from the team. She emphasized the importance of traveling with a psychologist for on-site mental health support and advocated for regular body check-ups.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the finalists earning a coveted spot at the 2024 T20 Women’s World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. Uganda previously faced Scotland and Thailand in the Netherlands but will encounter USA and Sri Lanka for the first time.
Uganda will engage in two warm-up matches against UAE on the 21st and Vanuatu on the 23rd before their opening group match against Scotland. Subsequently, they will confront USA and Thailand before concluding their group stage against Sri Lanka. The matches against Scotland and Thailand will be night fixtures, offering the Victoria Pearls a novel experience.
