Riazat Ali Shah Leads Cricket Cranes For Naija Mission
Cricket Uganda has named 14 players for the Abuja qualifier, with captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice-captain Kenneth Waiswa leading the Cricket Cranes. Uganda face Zambia, Lesotho, The Gambia, Mozambique and Nigeria from October 20–25, with the top two teams advancing to the Africa Regional Final.
Cricket Uganda Uganda has named a 14-man Cricket Cranes squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C, scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria, from October 18 to 25, 2026.
Led by captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice-captain Kenneth Waiswa, the squad combines established national-team performers with players seeking to strengthen their place in the side as Uganda pursue qualification for the Africa Regional Final.
Uganda enter the six-team competition as the highest-ranked side among the participating countries in the supplied ICC Men’s T20I rankings. The Cricket Cranes are ranked 21st globally, ahead of Nigeria (40th), Zambia (62nd), Mozambique (81st), Lesotho (89th) and The Gambia (95th).
The top two teams at the Abuja qualifier will progress to the Africa Regional Final, keeping Uganda’s immediate objective clear: produce consistent performances across five matches and finish among the leading two sides.
Selection built on performance and continuity
Cricket Uganda Selector and Head of Pathways & High Performance Richard Okia said selection was based on performances in trial matches over recent months, alongside assessments from the team’s international assignments in Windhoek, Mumbai, Dar es Salaam and Kigali during 2026.
The selection process, he said, was intended to reward form while preserving the continuity needed for the team to build combinations and cohesion ahead of a high-stakes qualification campaign.
“We go as the highest-ranked team and we hope to play the highest-ranked team and hopefully we shall qualify for the Regional Final,” Okia said.
The squad includes Pius Oloka, who returns for his second stint with the Cricket Cranes after making his first appearance as a teenager during the Castle Lite Series against Namibia in Windhoek in July 2023.
Wicketkeeper Cyrus Kakuru also earns another opportunity to impress, while top-order batter Anas Baig Mirza returns to the selection picture after a glimpse at what he can do during the Mumbai Tour and ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali.
The continued selection of Charles Musemeza and Gerald Olipa reflects the confidence they have built with the coaches and selectors. Musemeza and Kakuru provide two wicketkeeping options in the 14-man group.
Injury & academic commitments
Three notable players will not be available for the Abuja assignment.
All-rounder Dinesh Nakrani and opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta remain injured and are undergoing rehabilitation. Slow left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Musinguzi is unavailable because of academic obligations.
Their absence removes options in different departments, with Nakrani’s all-round contribution and Kyewuta’s new-ball bowling among the qualities Uganda will have to cover through the selected group.
Musinguzi’s omission is for academic reasons. Cricket Uganda recognises that player development includes balancing sporting commitments with education.
The selection also offers the 14 players an opportunity to demonstrate the depth and adaptability required to navigate a compact tournament in which every result can influence the qualification race.
Coach preaches consistency & cohesion
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang and head coach Steve Tikolo have emphasised continuity in the selection process, with recent displays helping guide decisions and allowing the group to continue building its understanding of one another.
“Our focus is to build on the work the players have put in during the trials and tours, maintain consistency in our performances and continue growing as a unit. We respect every opponent, but we must concentrate on executing our plans, match by match, and give ourselves the best opportunity to qualify,” said Ogwang.
Five matches, one qualification target
Uganda open their campaign against Zambia on October 20 before facing Lesotho the following day. After a rest day on October 22, the Cricket Cranes take on The Gambia on October 23, Mozambique on October 24 and hosts Nigeria in the campaign finale on October 25.
The schedule demands a fast start and sustained concentration, with four matches coming in six calendar days. Uganda will need to manage workloads, adapt quickly between opponents and maintain execution with both bat and ball.
As the highest-ranked team in the group, Uganda carry the expectation that comes with that status. The ranking is an indicator of their standing, however, not a substitute for performance in Abuja. The immediate target is a top-two finish and progression to the Africa Regional Final on the road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
TEAM UGANDA FOR ICC QUALIFIER IN ABUJA
Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Robinson Obuya, Raghav Dhawan, Gerald Olipa, Sumeet
Verma, Kenneth Waiswa (Vice-Captain), Alpesh Ramjani, Pius Oloka, Anas Baig
Mirza, Charles Musemeza (Wicketkeeper), Cyrus Kakuru (Wicketkeeper), Juma
Miyaji, Joseph Baguma & Enock Kasaija
UGANDA’S FIXTURES IN ABUJA
Tuesday, October 20 — 11:30 AM:
Uganda vs. Zambia — NCF Oval 1
Wednesday, October 21 — 11:30 AM:
Lesotho vs. Uganda — NCF Oval 2
Friday, October 23 — 3:50 PM:
The Gambia vs. Uganda — NCF Oval 2
Saturday, October 24 — 11:30 AM:
Uganda vs. Mozambique — NCF Oval 2
Sunday, October 25 — 3:50 PM:
Nigeria vs. Uganda — NCF Oval 1
Note: All times in East Africa Time (EAT).
Venue: Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Oval 1 and Oval 2, Moshood Abiola Stadium, Package B, Abuja, Nigeria.
Qualification format: The top two teams advance to the Africa Regional Final.
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