Victoria Pearls Chase Glory in Thailand

The Uganda Women’s National Cricket Team is set to embark on a defining campaign as they head to Thailand for the Emerging Women’s Trophy 2025, a tournament running from 18 November to 1 December and designed to showcase the world’s top rising cricket nations. Hosted at the Terdthai Cricket Ground and the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, the event promises high-level competition as emerging teams compete for prestige, visibility, and the chance to advance within the ICC’s newly structured pathway for women’s cricket.

The Victoria Pearls enter the tournament with renewed confidence after a dominant performance in the 2025 Victoria Series, where they swept Canada 5–0 in a demonstration of cohesion, tactical sharpness, and growing maturity. Building on this momentum, the selectors have named a squad that blends experience with promising young talent. A notable adjustment is the return of Teddy Oyella, who steps back into the lineup in place of Phiona Kulume, reflecting the team’s commitment to fielding a side shaped by both performance and strategic balance.

Uganda will open their campaign on 20 November with a high-stakes meeting against Scotland, a match that will set the tone for their ambitions in the tournament. The Emerging Women’s Trophy features eight teams: Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom possess women’s ODI status, alongside the top-ranked T20I associate teams Namibia, Uganda, and Tanzania. For the Victoria Pearls, competing against these sides presents not only a test of skill but also an opportunity to cement Uganda’s rising presence on the global cricket stage.

A strong finish in the top four would secure Uganda a place in a new ICC tournament slated for 2027. That event will feature the four best teams from the Emerging Women’s Trophy and four full-member nations that fail to qualify for the 2027 Champions Trophy. This structure is part of the ICC’s broader plan to expand the Women’s T20 World Cup from 12 teams in 2026 to 16 by 2030, opening more pathways for developing cricket nations and elevating the competitive landscape for women’s cricket worldwide.

The squad heading to Thailand is led by captain Janet Mbabazi, whose leadership and all-round ability continue to anchor the team’s style of play. She is joined by seasoned performers such as Kevin Awino, Ritah Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, and Consy Aweko, players whose consistency and experience offer stability in crucial pressure moments. Complementing them are talented younger athletes and dynamic all-rounders who bring energy, adaptability, and a fresh approach to the team’s evolving strategy. The careful balance of youth and experience reflects a deliberate effort to create a resilient, multi-dimensional side capable of adjusting to different match situations.

Head Coach Deus Muhumuza expressed full confidence in the squad, emphasizing that selections were made strictly on merit and supported by performance data. He noted significant growth in the team’s understanding of their roles and responsibilities, attributing their progress to disciplined preparation and a collective commitment to improvement. According to him, the team’s strategic mindset has sharpened: once Uganda gains control of a match, the focus is on maintaining pressure and executing clinically to secure victory.

Captain Janet Mbabazi shared similar optimism, highlighting the hard work, consistency, and dedication that each selected player has demonstrated throughout the year. She praised the well-rounded nature of the squad, noting its blend of experienced players, promising youngsters, all-rounders, and pace bowlers. To her, the depth and balance within the team reflect thoughtful selection and give Uganda a strong platform to compete effectively in a tournament of this magnitude.

As the Victoria Pearls prepare to showcase their talent on an international stage, they carry with them the hopes of a nation that has witnessed their steady rise. Their journey to Thailand is more than a sporting mission, it is a statement of Uganda’s growing ambition in women’s cricket. With determination, improved skill, and a clear sense of purpose, the team is poised to make an impression that extends beyond results, reinforcing Uganda’s place among the world’s emerging cricket forces.