Uganda hosts Afro T20 Cricket Premier League

KAMPALA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Top cricket players from around the world are in Uganda to participate in the first ever Afro T20 Cricket League which runs Dec. 9- 23.

Former Pakistan star spinner Saeed Ajmal told Xinhua that he is happy to be in Uganda to be part of history being made. He will play for one of the eight franchise teams.

"I am happy to be in Uganda to share my cricket experience with everyone. I will give 100 percent in the tournament because I take the game seriously when I get on to the Oval," he added.

Grace Mutyagaba, Development Officer at the Uganda Cricket Association the tournament which has brought several cricket legends in the country will help promote the sport.

The tournament will see the winning team bag 50,000 U.S. dollars, the runners up 25,000 dollars and the third placed 10,000 dollars.

The tournament which will see Uganda's top 40 players taking part will also have foreign players from India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and South Africa all divided in the different franchise teams.

Avniesh Bhardway, one of the organizers told Xinhua that after getting clearance from the World Cricket Board, they are optimistic the tournament will be successful and Uganda will benefit from hosting it.

The francise teams that have been named after wild animals in Africa include; Roaring Lions, Charging Leopards, Mighty Rhinos, Striking Panthers, Hippo Warriors, Raging Bulls, Royal Elephants and Rising. Enditem