The Victoria Pearls have entered the final phase of their preparations for the upcoming 2026 Capricorn Series scheduled to run from July 21st to July 30th in Windhoek, Namibia.
The four-nation tournament, which will be contested as official T20 Internationals (T20Is), will feature hosts Namibia (Capricorn Eagles), Uganda (Victoria Pearls), Tanzania, and Hong Kong facing off at the HP Oval and the Namibia Cricket Ground.
Head Coach Deus Muhumuza, who returns after taking charge of the team’s fortunes as they shared the honours in the bilateral series last year, 3 wins apiece, has expressed strong confidence in the squad’s tactical evolution.
The team is utilising its final training blocks to solidify player combinations and test specific match scenarios.
Muhumuza has emphasised that the preparatory sessions have been a culmination of a multi-year development strategy designed to elevate the team’s competitive edge on the international stage.
“The Victoria Pearls are prepared,” Coach Muhumuza stated. “Right now we’re just doing the final touches – just getting different combinations working and, of course, different game situations that we have been working on since the start of the year. Again, it’s not just work for this year; it’s a continuation of works from last year and the years before that.”
A primary objective for the batting unit during this cycle has been to increase scoring efficiency.
The coaching staff has closely monitored the team’s “aggression index,” pushing for an upgraded strike rate across the top order.
The tactical shift is already yielding positive indicators, with the top six batters proactively embracing the challenge.
Photo by: Pankaj Nangia / CREIMAS
To pressure-test these refinements under match conditions, the Pearls have been playing high-intensity trial games against local Under-17 and Under-19 boys’ selections.
“For the batters, mainly, it’s the aggression index. We have tried to make sure the strike rate goes up, and all our top six have surely put up their hands. We are seeing a big difference in their strike rate,” Muhumuza noted, adding that the upcoming tournament will serve as the ultimate evaluation.
“We hope to see it more under different pressure situations, but we’ll still get those games against the Under-17 and Under-19 boys.”
Defensively, the bowling unit has been focusing on strategic adaptability. Recent training blocks have prioritised individual bowlers’ variations to neutralise opposition batters.
“For the bowlers, we’re working on variations, understanding different field settings, and how to approach different batters,” explained Muhumuza. “We are trying to get certain batters who hit a certain way, and we find if bowlers can team up and find a way, they can approach and tidy them in their lines.”
The technical bench remains confident that the team is peaking at the right time to secure definitive results at the Capricorn Series.
Victoria Pearls Full Match Schedule:
July 21: Uganda vs Hong Kong – HP Oval (10:30 EAT)
July 22: Namibia vs Uganda – HP Oval (10:30 EAT)
July 24: Tanzania vs Uganda – Namibia Cricket Ground (10:30 EAT)
July 25: Uganda vs Hong Kong – Namibia Cricket Ground (15:00 EAT)
July 27: Namibia vs Uganda – HP Oval (15:00 EAT)
July 28: Tanzania vs Uganda – HP Oval (15:00 EAT)
July 30: 3rd Place Playoff (10:30 EAT) / Final (15:00 EAT) – Namibia Cricket Ground