After the disappointment of the Division 3 World Cricket League where the hosts Uganda finished 5th thus being relegated to Division 4 focus now turns to the local Cricket League.
Tornado B will face off with KICC at Lugogo in the highlight game of the weekend. Tornado B are defending champions of the league and have had little challenge thus far apart from Damani who they beat comfortably.
KICC invested heavily in the off season bringing in National team Skipper Davis Karashani from Tornado B, U19 prodigy Zephaniah Arinaitwe to help out veteran all rounder Frank Nsubuga.
Despite losing Irfan Afridi to Challengers, the bowling combination of Frank Nsubuga and Davis Karashani has been deadly in the league and Tornado B will need to look out for this pair.
Captain Hanumat Khatkar has had some selection headache on his shoulders but having to find a place between the Kenyan players and the local players available to him. Here is what he had to say when we spoke to him;
This weekend we will try to win the game, so will try our best. Our Kenyan players promised to be with us, Gurdeep Singh and Abdul promised to travel for us for league.
Tornado B on the other hand will welcome back Roger Mukasa, Deus Muhumuza and Lawrence Ssematimba from National duty.
However, Ssematimba got injured in the win over Malaysia and it will be a race against time to have him fit for the game on Sunday.
Roger Mukasa had an average tournament but he should be able to lift Tornado B when they need him most. His Captain Jeremy Kibuuka Musoke had this say about his national team trio;
I believe they are fit enough to over come the fatigue and lift themselves from the sad moments. They are resting with family which helps to refresh themselves.
Unfortunately, Lawrence Ssematimba is out for a year and we shall have to manage without him.
In other games, Challengers plays Kutchi Tigers at Kyambogo. Challengers will be looking to Irfan Afridi to be in the same form as he has been for Uganda as well as Arthur Kyobe, Shahzad Kamal and Hamu Kayondo who have all been on national duty.
However, Kutchi has proved to be a bogey side for most teams and they are no pushovers. They have a lot of experience in their team with the likes of Nehal Bibodi and Bharat Ghodadira plus the hard hitting Nanji Phondoria.
In Division 2
Tornado plays ACC in Entebbe in a game both teams need to win to stay clear of the relegation zone. Tornado is loaded with U19 players currently preparing for their World Cup Qualifiers in Nairobi next month and each of them will be looking at impressing the selectors.
Premeir will take on Strikers in Buddo. The latter is also full of exciting U19 players and they will be full of confidence after scoring over 350 runs against Wanderers on the same ground. Strikers will look to Derrick Bakunzi and Rogers Olipa plus player coach John Tumusiime to help them pick up the win.
SKPLS travel to Jinja to play the school boys of Jinja SS. On their own ground Jinja SS has never been a walkover if you don’t show up the kids have the capability of pick up a win.
Full Weekend Fixtures
Jazz Safari National Men’s League 2017
Sunday, 4th June 2017
Lugogo Oval
- Tornado Bee CC Vs KICC – 10:30 am
Kyambogo Oval
- Challengers CC Vs Kutchi Tigers CC – 10:30 am
Entebbe Oval
- Tornado CC Vs Africa CC- 10:30 am
Budo Oval
- Premier CC Vs Strikers CC – 10:30am
Jinja Oval
- Jinja SSCC Vs SKLPS CC – 10:30am
