KAMPALA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's national cricket team technical wing has made a strategic squad change ahead of the second leg of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup Challenge League B.
After winning the first leg played in Kampala late last year, Uganda is eager to collect vital results when the second round takes place from February 6 to 16 in Hong Kong, China.
Nehal Bibodi, chairman of the selectors told Xinhua on Wednesday that spinner Joseph Baguma has been replaced by seasoned paceman Bilal Hassan.
He made it clear that the change follows extensive assessment of the playing conditions in Hong Kong which have been determined to favor pace over spin.
"After seeing the weather and playing conditions, we noticed that they will favor pace over spin," said Bibodi.
Bilal Hassan thanked the technical team for selecting him for the qualifiers. "I am looking forward to giving my 100 percent for Team Uganda so that we stay at the top of the table. I thank the selectors for putting trust in me, and as a senior bowler, I will help process the plan for the bowling unit so that we get results," said Hassan who also features for Kenyan side Kanbis.
The Cricket Cranes technical team is confident that this change will bolster their performance as they aim to qualify for the next phase of the competition, play some One Day Internationals, and push for a place in the 2027 ICC World Cup, set to be hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The Uganda Cricket Cranes have been in Hong Kong, China since January 25, 2025, acclimatizing to the conditions and participating in a Tri-Series involving Bahrain and the host Hong Kong, China. Uganda finished as runners-up, losing the final by 68 runs to Hong Kong, China on February 2. ■
