UAE to test East African sides during Victoria series

The UAE are in the second edition of the Victorian series as they kick off their African tour in Kampala. The second edition will be without Zimbabwe, the defending champions of the inaugural event in 2019, but there will be no shortage of quality in the second edition.

The rise of the women’s game in East Africa means there is little distinction between every team in the region.Kenya has historically dominated the men’s game in the region, but Tanzania has been dominant in the women’s game and they are unquestionably the highest ranked in the region at 16th^dayUganda are starting to show signs of what helped them become African champions in 2017 and now have an experienced and in-form team looking to have a chance of winning their own tournament as hosts.

Janet Mbabazi has just been named the 2022 Women’s Cricketer of the Year and her team-mates are hoping she will repeat her 2022 heroics in her first international assignment of the year. Former captain Immaculate Nakisuyi looks to be enjoying her cricket again and her power game will be necessary, not least because of Uganda’s penchant for second batting. Concy Aweko, the player with the most strikes in women’s T20I cricket last year, will be called to lead from the front row.

UAE ranks 15th^day Having lost everything in the world and coming to Kampala with a huge reputation, ICC Pro-Girls Cricketer of the Year Esha Oza will be a key player. Captain Chaya Mughal understands that their expectations may be heavy but they will take each game one at a time and make sure they respect their opponents. The UAE will travel to Namibia for the Four Nations Championship immediately after the Victoria series, which will test their preparations for the Asian Games.

Kenya will rely on the pedigree of the past and the steel that always stands up when it matters, but on paper they are behind the rest of the team. Sharon Juma and Daisy Njoroge are veterans who need to do a lot of heavy lifting for an inexperienced team.They rank slightly above Rwanda out of 26 countries^day In the world, but if they can’t match up with other teams, they will be in a lot of trouble.

Rwanda has nothing to lose by visiting Kampala and the region’s rising women’s cricket will be a team to watch, especially with some exciting young talent. Henriette Ishimwe has been named Women’s Player of the Month for March and will join her namesake Gisele Ishimwe as Rwanda’s first-choice girl. They have a very smart leader in Diane Bimenyimana, who is a top-notch player by her own standards.

Sara Uwera struggled in Kampala but her success at the Nigeria Invitational gave her some confidence. The two experienced players were part of an elite women’s league organized in Uganda earlier this year, so some of their opponents will be familiar.

Tanzania have gone through experience to ensure they leave Kampala with their reputation intact and Fatuma Kibasu will lead a team that has made as many as seven changes from the team that competed in the quad championship in Kenya last December.They are the second-best team in the tournament, finishing 16th^day In the world, if someone below them gets something, they lose a lot in the form of points.

The competition will be played in a round robin format, with two games played each day, with the top two teams going to the final.

The full team:

United Arab Emirates: Chaya Mughal (Captain), Esha Oza, Kavisha Kumari Nanayakkarewasan Egodage, Theertha Satish, Kushi Mohan Sharma, Lavanya Kenya, Vaishnave Mahesh, Indhuja Nandakumar, Archara Supriya, Avanee Sunil Patil, Sanchin, Geethika Jyothis, Rintha Rajith, Rishitha Rajith

Rwanda: Sarah Uwera, Diana Marie Bimenyimana (Captain), Alice Ikuze, Gisele Ishimwe, Merveille Uwase, Belise Murekatete, Clarrise Umutoniwase, Margueritte Vumilia, Geovanis Uwase, Josiane Nyirakundineza, Sifa Ngabire, Henritte Therese Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Immacenulee Muha

Uganda: Concy Aweko (captain), Janet Mbabazi, Evelyn Anyipo, Irene Alumo, Patricia Malemikia, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Stephanie Nampiina, Gloria Obukor, Kevin Awino, Phiona Egaru Khulume, Sarah Akiteng and Rita Musamali.

Tanzania: Fatuma Omary Kibasu (Captain), Hudaa Mrisho, Neema Justine, Mwanaidi Ammy Swedy, Monica Pascal Iddi, Saum Mtae, Sophia Frank Jerome, Shufaa Mohamedi, Zakayo, Kamunya, Agnes Joseph Qwele, Josephine Shirima, Mwapwani Mohamedi, Sonia Chachala, Josephine Shi

Kenya: Sharon Juma (captain), Daisy Njoroge, Venasa Ooko, Esther Wachira, Lavendah Idambo, Flavia Odhiambo, Ann Wanjira, Faith Mwende, Monica Ndhambi, Lynz Nabwire, Charity Muthoni, Kelvia Ogola, Mercy Ahono, Marion Juma.