Abhay Sharma: Indian Named Cricket Cranes Coach

Finally after months of hunting and unending speculations, Uganda Cricket Association has found Laurence Mahatlane’s replacement.

UCA in a press conference held at Rozaho Bar in Lugogo announced the appointment of Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the Cricket Cranes.

The Association has been on the look out for a head coach since October last year when they parted ways with Mahatlane after failing to renew the South African contract.

Mahatlane’s assistant Jackson Ogwang has been on the helm as the interim coach, but after a detailed search that involved thirteen candidates, Sharma wins himself a three-year contract.

The new Cricket Cranes gaffer comes with a mammoth of experience having worked in that role for close to twenty years.

He’s held seven jobs in that position, but the most notable one was in 2019 when he coached India U19 to a Tri- Series victory against England and Bangladesh.

The 54-year-old also worked with the Indian national team and their women’s team as the fielding coach.

Ugandan teams, Cricket Cranes inclusive have often times come under scrutiny for their wanting batting; with Sharma specifically a specialist in fielding and batting, the Cricket Cranes may have found a solution to their problem.

Sharma’s immediate task is to the lead the Cricket Cranes at the World Cup. Ogwang made history last November when he led the team to their first ever World Cup, but the mantle is now on the new coach to leave a lasting impression in West Indies.

The World Cup will be hosted by the USA and West Indies, but Uganda will be stationed in the West Indies for their Group C matches.

Uganda is placed in Group C alongside Afghanistan, PNG, West Indies and New Zealand. They will bowl off their campaign against Afghanistan on 3rd June at Guyana.