By Oscar Pilipili
Kenya team looking forward to earn qualification to the Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup set for next year.
However, to reach the World Cup, Kenyans have to work extra hard to realise their dream.
First, the team must finish top in African qualification round scheduled for Kampala, Uganda on June 25.
Teams traveling to Kampala are Nigeria, Botswana and Sierra Leon, all in Pool ‘A’ together with Kenya.
Hosts Uganda, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia form Pool ‘B’. Ultimate winners of the Kampala tournament advance to the global qualification round to be played next year.
Kenya plays Nigeria in its first match before meeting Botswana and Sierra Leone.
Cricket Kenya (CK) selectors have already decided on a squad for the Kampala tour naming a 14-man team.
The squad was selected by panelists led by former national team wicket keepers Tariq Iqbal and Kennedy Obuya. Other tacticians are Joseph Angara and new head coach Steve Tikolo.
Players forming the team include: Emmanuel Bundi (Captain), Rajesh Khetiya (assistant captain), Raj Savaala, Gautam Bhudia, Steve Biko, Joseph Owino and Bhargab Goswami. Others are Tarandeep Singh, Hamza Malik, Gurdep Singh, Paramveer Singh, Dhiren Gondaria, Kirtan Patel, Ikreeth Kenth.
The squad is a perfect reflection of Kenya’s young, emerging talent.
Bundi has played for the national team in the recent past while Savaala, who is a leg spinner, turned up for the Under-19 team World Cup qualifiers in Ireland in 2010.
Angara, who has been handling the team for over two years said: “It’s a very exciting squad and most of them are graduates from our last under-19 development program.”
“They are very talented cricketers. Bundi, for example, was in this group in 2010 and has since played international matches for Kenya.
“This squad contains a blend of batting, bowling and field players.”
