Ugandan team to take part in National Sport Day cricket

The Qatar Cricket Association, under the Presidency of Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, would add an international flavour to the National Sport Day celebrations this year. With the Uganda Cricket Association confirming the tour to Qatar in February, the QCA is proud to host the African team for a week, which will climax with a Twenty20 match on February 13 (Qatar’s National Sport Day).The tour of Uganda is also a part of Qatar’s intensive preparations for the upcoming Asian regional qualifiers for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Qatar will later travel to Kuwait in April to figure in the regional qualifying tournament. QCA President al-Kuwari said of the Uganda’s week-long visit to Qatar: “We’re privileged to organise a trip by the Uganda Cricket Association for five matches at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium. We want to thank the African team for accepting our invite to come and play matches here.  “We’re also proud to announce that the visitors would also take part in the Qatar National Sport Day Festival on February 13 through the Twenty20 match. This tour by Uganda will help Qatar immensely in their preparations for the Asian regional qualifying championship,” al-Kuwari said. According to QCA Operations Manager Manzoor Ahmad, “The Uganda team will play five matches in Qatar, including two 50-over-a-side games. Apart from the national team, we have selected the President’s Eleven, which will figure in one Twenty20 match and one 50-over-a-side match against the touring Uganda team. “The Uganda team will arrive in Qatar on February 7 (Wednesday) and will kick-off the tour with a Twenty20 match the following day. The next three matches will be conducted consecutively before a day’s rest to the visitors.  “After the fifth and final match of the tour, the Uganda team will fly back home on February 14,” Ahmad added.  “The Qatar players are already undergoing vigorous preparations through QCA Twenty 20 Tournament and the Qatar Airways Twenty20 Tournament. I sincerely hope that this trip by the Uganda players will help our players gain more edge,” said Ahmad. Gul Khan Jadoon, tournament director, Hassan Raza, head of technical committee, Amin ul Islam, match referee, Mohamed Asif Raza and Jamshaid Ahmad, logistical managers, will be the key officials named to oversee the series.Qatar squad: Inam-Ul-Haq, Mohamed Rizlan, Mohamed Awais, Malik Faisal, Javed Khan, Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry, Dharmang Hasmukh Patel, Qalandar Khan, Mohamed Nadeem, Kamran Khan, Tamoor Sajjad, Zaheeruddeen Ibrahim, Mohamed Tanveer, Mohamed Imran Ashraf and Khurram ShahzadUganda squad: Roger Mukasa, Hamu Kayondo Bagenda, Zephania Arinaitwe, Simon Sseazi, Shahzad Ukani, Lloyd Paternott, Deusdedit Muhumuza, Brian Masaba, Frank Nsubuga, Kenneth Waiswa, Fred Achelam, Irfan Sahibzada, Henry Senyondo, Charles Waiswa, Trevor Bukenya, Bilal Hassun and Riazat Ali Shah Officials: Jackson Kavuma, Stephen Ogonji Tikolo, Habiba Kulusumu AnguyoPresident’s XI squad: Ushantha (HBK), Gayan (Galfar Al Misnad), Anoop (Tusker), Phillip (CBQ), Khalid Khateeb (Royal Stars), Mujeeb-Ur Rehman (Feroz Youngsters), Shahid (Royal Stars), Noman Sarvar (Feroz Youngsters), Mansoor Khalid (Qatar Airways), Mohamed Mirza (Police), Moiz Siddiqui (ex-under-19 player), Awais Junior (Royal Stars), Omran Hussain (Qatari Diar), Mugheeb (HBK), Waleed (CBQ), Harris Butt (Al Feroz), Nafees (Qatari Diar) and Hussain Khan (ex-under-19 player)