Newly appointed Cricket Cranes head coach Abhay Sharma will focus on fielding and wicket-keeping as the team makes its ICC Cricket World Cup debut in the West Indies and USA.

“I come to a Ugandan side that is in good shape but ahead of the World Cup. I am going to use my experience to see that the team’s bowlers and wicketkeepers are in good shape,” Sharma said.

The announcement comes just 66 days before the commencement of the ICC Cricket World Cup where Uganda is set to put up a performance from June 29- July 1.

Sharma believes the team is eager to learn and wants to see that they put up a good show at the World Cup.

“We are going to work on the various targets while fielding and batting and in each game situation, a new target will be set for us to meet hence calling for total collaboration from the team,” he said.

Sharma has a lot of experience previously serving as a fielding coach for India A and India U19 in addition to his work with the India senior women’s national team. He also worked at the Delhi Ranji team, among other assignments.

He will lead the Cricket Cranes to Sri Lanka where they will play local sides in preparations for the global test in June as he starts his three-year contract.

Uganda is in Group C with New Zealand, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea.

Other groups comprise Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA, Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman and Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal.

Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Walusimbi believes UCA made the right choice of a coach to lead the team to the maiden World Cup.

“Sharma ticked all the boxes in regards to the requirements put into place for the coaching role and we welcome him and wish him success,” Walusimbi said.