Abhay Sharma steps down as Cricket Cranes coach
After one year, five months and 15 days, Sharma stepped down as coach of the Cricket Cranes, an announcement that came just hours after the conclusion of Uganda's poor campaign at the T20 Africa Region Qualifier.
Abhay Sharma. File photo
T20 Africa Region qualifier
Uganda 196/7 Nigeria 130/7
(Uganda win by 66 runs)
Abhay Sharma's reign was short. It was enough to create sufficient uncertainty about the future.
After one year, five months and 15 days, Sharma stepped down as coach of the Cricket Cranes, an announcement that came just hours after the conclusion of Uganda's poor campaign at the T20 Africa Region Qualifier.
The announcement was made by cricket governing body UCA a few hours after the clock struck midnight on Sunday. Whether the timing of the statement was intended to be poetic remains to be established, but Sharma's departure will be welcomed in many circles.
Under him, the Cricket Cranes regressed, with a fifth-place finish at the African tournament summing up the slippage.
“Our poor start cost us,” Sharma reflected on the tournament just after the win over Nigeria. “The collapse against Tanzania was the lowest moment. But the boys showed fight at the end”.
Uganda captain observed, "This tournament is a wake-up call. We must execute better and play our roles consistently."
Uganda defeated Nigeria by 66 runs on the final day, a far cry from the jubilant scenes that marked the Cricket Cranes' final outing at the same tournament two years ago.
On that day, Uganda beat Rwanda by nine wickets to secure a maiden World Cup appearance. This time, they return home unsure what the future holds. Still, Sharma's departure is a good starting point.