1. The team left Qatar amidst fanfare from Qatar Cricket Association and Qatar Olympic Committee officials on February 14.
2. Former Ugandan international Simon ‘Zungu’ Nsubuga, a right-arm fast opening bowler and hard-hitting middle-order batsman, now based in Qatar was there to bid farewell to the team. Zungu has been a mainstay in the r couple always checking on the side and carry messages of wisdom to the boys. Hats off Simon!
3. It was a flawless flight from Doha to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on February 15. A four and half-hours drive was all the team needed to check in at the remote but beautiful Sanjay Farm in Chikhil, Gujarat.
4. The quartet of Riazat Ali Shah, Irfan Afridi, Bilal Hassun and injured Lloyd Paternott returned home but the team wasn’t depleted in either quantity or quality
5. Experienced Emmanuel Isaneez, U-19 leftie Steven Wabwose plus the India-born Ugandan pair of Ronak Patel and Dinesh Nakrani, whose records in the Jazz Safari National League and Rainbow Paints Night Cricket Premier League over the last three seasons speak volumes.
6. There was a glamorous opening ceremony later in the evening with the hosts exchanging mementos with the Ugandan contingent at a function that was graced by an avalanche of dignitaries from Gujarat Cricket Association, Baroda and former Ranji Trophy players. The Ugandans wrapped up the night by treating the hosts and their guests to a display of African dance.
7. The cricketers embark on a seven match schedule while here at the Sanjay Farm that comprises of three Twenty20s and four 40-over matches. Seven games in seven days will be worth an experience for the Ugandans.
TOUR OF INDIA ITINERARY
Today, February 16:
Two Twenty20s (ND Warriors & Skipper XI)
February 17:
40-Over Match vs. Surat District CA U-19
February 18:Rest Day
February 19:
40-Over Match vs. Surat District CA
February 20:
Twenty20 vs. United Cricketers of Baroda XI
February 21:
40-Over Match vs. Bharuch District CA
February 22:
40-Over Match vs. Sterling Generators
February 23:
Return to Uganda
