Kathmandu- Nepal takes Uganda on the first match of ICC WCL DIV 2 tomorrow at Wanderers Affies, Namibia. Tomorrow’s encounter between these teams will be the sixth one in two years. The match starts at 1:15 NST.
Nepal and Uganda has been close foes of recent times having faced each other five time in a span of two years. Things has got interesting between these two teams as Nepal has never beaten Uganda in the first encounter of a ICC World Cricket league while Uganda has never beaten Nepal in the finals. Nepal leads the series 3-2, and Uganda will be expecting to draw the series with a win against Nepal tomorrow.
Both sides are confident going into tomorrow’s match without injuries to any players, and with a fresh strategy. Nepal, led by Paras Khakda, however, looks a better side than Frank Nsubuga’s Uganda.
Uganda will be without the service of pacer Charles Waiswa, who was Uganda’s leading wicket taker in the ICC World Cup Qualifier. Uganda will surely feel his absence in a seaming wicket tomorrow. Another thing that might hurt Uganda is their inconsistent and fragile batting line-up that fears facing hostile pace bowling. Uganda, as always will rely on their spinners Frank Nsubuga, and Davis Arinaitwe to pick up wickets while magnificent form in current times of all-rounder Roger Mukasa will be a plus point for them.
Nepal, on the other hand, has got a well balanced team. Nepal’s weakness in the bowling has been subdued with the emergence two young quality fast bowlers, Sompal Kami and Karan KC. Apart from the opening combination, there aren’t other things that shall trouble Nepal. Nepal’s chances rely on the Sompal kami- how well he bowls? And the batting of Paras Khadka.
Players to watch out
Roger Mukasa
He was phenomenal in Uganda’s Division 3 campaign with both bat and ball, scoring 265 runs in that tournament at an average of 44.16 and picking 13 wickets. He picked up five wickets in the final against Nepal.
Sompal Kami
The youngster has impressed all with his pace at a tender age. He picked up 8 wickets in ICC world cup qualifiers in New Zealand and has got 18 wickets to his name in two first class matches. He will look forward to use the seaming conditions tomorrow. He can be handy with his batting down the order as he holds capacity of big hitting.
Quotes
“Everyone is working hard and we are very keen to play our very best and win the tournament. If we play to our potential we will come out with flying colors. It’s a major tournament and everyone is really keen to perform and climb up the divisional ladder”, Nepal’s skipper Paras Khadka.
“The team is training hard and the camp is great experience ahead of the tournament. Playing against Zimbabwe in Kampala was good preparation. We look forward to do well in the competition”, Uganda’s Skipper Frank Nsubuga.
