Uganda Appoints Abhay Sharma as Head Coach for Men's National Cricket Team

Kampala, Uganda — The Uganda Cricket Association has announced the appointment of Abhay Sharma as the new head coach for the men's national team, the Cricket Cranes.

The 54-year-old Indian, a former first-class wicketkeeper-batsman, has inked a three-year contract with the team as they prepare for their debut in this year's T20 World Cup.

Sharma brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played professionally for Delhi and Railways in India, and later transitioning to coaching roles with Railways, India A, and India Under-19s as a fielding coach.

His leadership is expected to be invaluable as Uganda steps onto the global stage at the T20 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States and West Indies.

"I am very grateful for this opportunity to work with a bunch of talented cricketers," Sharma said, expressing his enthusiasm for his new role.

"Having been in Uganda for just a couple of days, it already feels like my second home. The people here are lovely, and the setting is reminiscent of India."

Uganda's qualification for the T20 World Cup came after finishing second in the African qualification round last November.

The team is placed in Group C, where they will compete against seasoned teams such as West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea. The tournament kicks off on June 1, with the finals scheduled for June 29 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Despite Uganda's current 22nd position in the International Cricket Council's men's T20 rankings, Sharma is optimistic about the team's prospects. He believes that with improved game awareness and mental fortitude, the Cricket Cranes can hold their own against the world’s leading cricket nations.

“What I have seen in the data is that we have lost a couple of opportunities in the field," he noted. "And yet even after missing out on those chances, we still qualified for the World Cup. Imagine how much better we can perform if we address these lapses."

As Uganda prepares for its T20 World Cup debut, Sharma’s focus will be on enhancing the team's overall performance and seizing the potential for upsets on the world stage.

His appointment marks a significant step forward for Ugandan cricket, highlighting the country's commitment to advancing in the sport under his experienced guidance.