October 5. Cricket Uganda (CU) announces that, after mutual discussions, Head Coach Abhay Sharma and the sport’s governing body in Uganda have agreed to part ways with immediate effect.
Coach Sharma, who took charge in April 2024 on a three-year contract, leaves the Cricket Cranes after guiding the team through historic milestones — including Uganda’s first-ever appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024, a record 17-match unbeaten T20 run after the tournament, and strong performances in the ICC Challenge League B, where Uganda sits on top of the table.
During his tenure, Uganda also posted notable victories on international tours, including unbeaten runs in the 2024 South Africa Tour and the 2025 POA T20 Series, alongside memorable home and away wins that lifted the country’s cricketing profile.
UCA Chairman Jackson Kavuma said:
“Cricket Uganda extends its sincere gratitude to Coach Abhay Sharma for his service and commitment during his tenure as Head Coach of the national team. His professionalism, dedication, and passion have greatly contributed to the progress and achievements of Ugandan cricket, and his impact will always be remembered. While Coach Abhay has stepped down, he will always remain part of the Uganda Cricket family, and we look forward to engaging him in advisory roles when needed.”
Coach Abhay Sharma explained his decision:
“The main reason for stepping down is availability. I could not consistently stay in Uganda for long stretches to oversee training and development, and I felt it would be unfair to the players and the board. Uganda deserves a coach who can dedicate more time on the ground. I remain open to supporting the players in any way — my phone is always on for them. This is my second home, and I leave with a heavy heart, especially after missing qualification for another World Cup. But I believe Uganda is on the right path. The structures, though, must improve and then Uganda will have a strong chance to play One Day International (ODI) cricket in the near future.”
Cricket Uganda thanks Coach Sharma for his contributions and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.
Beyond the results on the field, Coach Sharma’s tenure will be remembered for instilling professionalism, work ethic, and belief within the Cricket Cranes setup. His emphasis on mental toughness, game awareness, and sharper fielding standards raised the bar for the players and inspired the next generation of Ugandan cricketers. From the 56-year-old hands-on approach during training sessions to his mentorship of young talent, Sharma leaves behind a strong foundation that UCA will continue to build on in pursuit of long-term success.
ABHAY SHARMA — Uganda Cricket Cranes Head Coach
Timeframe: April 19, 2024 – October 4, 2025
Chronological Record
- April 2024 — Tour of Sri Lanka (T20s)
▸ Result: 0 wins, 6 losses - June 2024 — ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (Group stage)
▸ Matches: 4 — 1 win, 3 losses (Win: PNG | Losses: Afghanistan, West Indies, New Zealand) - June 2024 — World Cup warm-up fixtures (T20s)
▸ Result: 0 wins, 1 loss, 1 abandoned - September 2024 — PNG ODI Series in Entebbe (50 overs)
▸ Result: 2 wins, 2 losses — Series drawn 2–2 - October 2024 — Tour of South Africa (mixed formats: T20s & 50 overs)
▸ Result: 6 wins, 0 losses — Dominant sweep - November 2024 — Challenge League B, Uganda leg (50 overs)
▸ Result: 4 wins, 0 losses, 1 abandoned - December 2024 — ILT20 Continent Cup – Africa (T20s)
▸ Result: 9 wins, 0 losses — Perfect sweep - February 2025 — Challenge League B, Hong Kong leg (50 overs)
▸ Result: 4 wins, 0 losses, 1 abandoned - August 2025 — POA Series (T20s)
▸ Result: 6 wins, 0 losses — Dominant sweep - September 2025 — Tour of South Africa (T20s)
▸ Result: 2 wins, 1 loss - September 2025 — ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier warm-ups
▸ Result: 1 win, 1 loss - September–October 2025 — ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier (tournament proper)
▸ Result: 3 wins, 2 losses — Finished 5th
Totals (excluding abandoned matches)
- Wins: 38 | Losses: 16 | Abandoned: 3
- Played (excluding abandoned): 54 | Scheduled (including abandoned): 57
Win Percentage: 70.37%
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