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We shall shock UAE - Ligyalingi
In the absence of Junior Kwebiiha, Akbar Baig (pic) will captain Uganda for the UAE series. PHOTO: INNOCENT NDAWULA
Justine Ligyalingi, the national senior cricket team manager, exudes a lot of confidence with every phrase. And with Uganda scheduled to fly out to United Arab Emirates (UAE) tomorrow morning for a grueling series that comprises of a four-day game (January 20-23 in Abu Dhabi), a 50-over game (January 25 in Sharjah) and two Twenty20 matches (January 26 and 27 in Dubai), Ligyalingi is positive the youthful Ugandan side can claim another famous win.
“It is always nice to be underdogs as it takes away the pressure. I know the boys can surprise UAE at their home turf. Nobody expected us to topple Bermuda last August but we did it and in style with an outright win that fetched us 20 points,” Ligyalingi told Sunday Monitor on Friday soon after a downpour had washed out the last practice game at Lugogo oval.
Lawrence Ssematimba (45), Frank Nsubuga (47) and Arthur Kyobe (28) got some runs off their blades before the heavens opened and the technical team will be hoping that more batsmen’s willows catch fire against UAE.
And Ligyalingi, who is happy with the team’s preparations, says it will be every player’s responsibility to steer the team to victory.
“They (preparations) have been adequate but it would have been better if Kenya hadn’t called off the tour to Uganda. We have had daily nets for two weeks that should be fruitful and there are no injury worries,” he concluded.
