The 2025 Pearl of Africa T20I Series officially kicked off on July 17 at the scenic Entebbe Cricket Oval in Uganda, bringing together five competing nations—Uganda, Kenya, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nigeria, and Namibia A—for a high-stakes double round-robin tournament that runs until July 27. Over the next ten days, the series will feature a total of 18 group matches, playoffs, and a grand finale, offering Associate nations a key platform for competitive exposure ahead of major ICC qualifiers.
The tournament serves multiple strategic purposes. For Uganda, the host nation, it is an ideal tune-up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier set to take place in Zimbabwe this September. Coach Abhay Sharma views the tournament as an important opportunity to fine-tune team dynamics, assess squad depth, and prepare for stiffer continental competition. Similarly, Kenya sees the event as preparation for their Challenge League commitments later in the year.
The double round-robin format ensures each team will play eight matches, giving ample game time to test strategies and combinations. While matches involving Uganda, Kenya, UAE, and Nigeria will carry full T20 International (T20I) status, fixtures involving Namibia A are classified as non-T20I encounters due to their second-string status. Despite that, Namibia’s participation adds valuable variety and competitiveness to the fixture list.
The series began with an energetic atmosphere, supported by sponsors like Lycamobile and Pepsi, who are also aiming to boost local engagement. The Entebbe Oval, known for its picturesque lakeside setting, has been transformed into a cricket festival venue, offering a fan-friendly experience with live music, food stalls, and community cricket events. Organizers have emphasized both sport and spectacle to draw in local crowds and increase grassroots interest in the game.
From a cricketing standpoint, the Pearl of Africa Series is a golden chance for emerging Associate nations to climb the ICC rankings and test themselves against regional rivals. The United Arab Emirates bring a wealth of experience from recent global competitions and will be one of the teams to watch. Nigeria’s inclusion, following the withdrawal of Kuwait, brings flair and unpredictability to the contest.
Namibia A, though not a full national squad, have included several fringe national players eager to prove themselves and break into the senior side. Their presence enhances the quality of the contest, offering a fresh challenge to the more established teams.
All teams will play double-headers almost daily, with rest days scheduled mid-tournament. The top teams will move into playoff matches on July 26, culminating in a final on July 27 to decide the champion of this tightly contested series.
In just its second edition, the Pearl of Africa Series has grown in stature, becoming a symbol of East Africa’s cricketing ambition and the ICC’s commitment to nurturing Associate nations. With so much on the line—from rankings and team morale to World Cup preparations—the tournament promises intense competition and a celebration of cricket’s global expansion.