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Fallen giants Kenya face Uganda test in Pearl of Africa cricket tournament
Kenya’s assistant coach Joseph Angara before a past match against Rwanda at Sikh Union ground in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- After defeating Nigeria by 18 runs (DLS) on July 17, Kenya fell by 40 runs to the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
- Kenya’s assistant coach Joseph Angara stressed on the importance of getting the basics right against Uganda.
Kenya men’s cricket team will be out to bounce back to winning ways against Uganda in ‘Pearl of Africa Series’ tournament at Entebbe Cricket Oval on Monday afternoon. The Twenty20 clash Kenya will bowl off at 2:10pm (Kenyan time).
After defeating Nigeria by 18 runs (DLS) on July 17, Kenya fell by 40 runs to the United Arab Emirates on Friday. Namibia is the other team featuring in the series where teams are facing each other twice.
Aware of the challenges posed by the Entebbe Cricket Oval, Kenya’s assistant coach Joseph Angara stressed on the importance of his side to get the basics right against Uganda.
Uganda's perfect run
“We need to improve our skill levels, including bowling yorkers and slow balls. It is not an easy wicket to hit boundaries on,” said Angara.
But can Kenya finally halt Uganda’s recent dominance in the fixture?
“Everyday is a new day and a new game,” Angara responded, keeping his cards close to his chest.
Uganda heads into the match on the back of a perfect run in the tournament – registering a historic six-run loss over UAE and 77 runs over Nigeria (DLS).
While Uganda were once no match to Kenya in cricket, tables have turned over the past half-decade. Kenya have registered just one win against Uganda in their last 10 T20 meetings. The embarrassing nine defeats to the Cricket Cranes include the 33-run loss in 2024 T20 World Cup qualifiers in Namibia.
Last victory over Uganda
In the tournament held in November 2023, Uganda finished second behind Namibia to qualify for their maiden T20 World Cup. Kenya’s last victory over Uganda came on June 10, 2023 at Nairobi Gymkhana, the host winning by 88 runs.
The two teams last met in March 2023 last year in the African Games in Accra, Ghana, Uganda thrashing Kenya by 106 runs.
Kenya became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1981 and was awarded the One Day International status in 1996 a prestigious standing the country kept for 18 years till 2014. Kenya featured in five editions of ICC World Cup from 1996 to 2011.
