Sports 8 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Cricket Cranes Aim for Historic Third Consecutive ILT20 Continental Cup Title
The Ugandan national cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, begins their campaign today in the ILT20 Continental Cup, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title. They face Sierra Leone in their opening match in Kigali. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/cricket/cricket-cranes-chase-third-straight-title-5588408
Uganda’s national cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, are set to defend their ILT20 Continental Cup title for the third time in a row. The team, led by captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice-captain Kenneth Waiswa, faces Sierra Leone in their opening match at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium in Kigali.
This year’s squad features a blend of experienced players and seven emerging talents, a strategic move by the technical team to expand the T20 player pool. This youth injection is part of a long-term plan, according to Convenor of Selectors Nehal Bibodi, aimed at preparing Uganda for future tournaments, including the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier in Nigeria.
Despite the introduction of new faces, the team’s ambition remains high. “We are expecting this team to do well in the tournament — nothing less than winning the tournament,” Bibodi stated. The Cricket Cranes have a strong track record, having won the inaugural Continental Cup in 2023 and successfully defended their title in 2024.
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang highlighted the team’s recent long bus journey as a positive bonding experience. He also expressed confidence in the team’s current T20I ranking of 21, asserting that Uganda are “the big boys here” and should play with that mentality, even with a younger squad.
The team’s preparation involved acclimatizing to the Kigali conditions and a full training session. While Sierra Leone will be their first test, Uganda also faces Botswana, Rwanda, and Kenya in the league stage. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, with the final scheduled for September 19.
The tournament serves not only as a chance for a third consecutive title but also as a crucial opportunity to assess the capabilities of the next generation of Ugandan cricketers. The journey begins today against Sierra Leone, with the ultimate goal of continuing their winning streak and preparing for the Nigeria qualifier.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)