The Victoria Pearls will have their character and ambition instantly examined when they open their ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy campaign against highly-fancied Scotland on Thursday at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok.As one of the top-18 ranked T20I nations as of May 1, 2025, Uganda earned its ticket to this new ICC innovation-a tournament designed to give emerging sides more game time against higher-ranked opposition.For coach Deus Muhumuza and assistant Brian Masaba, the calculation is simple: every outing is both an examination and a priceless opportunity. ‘They are stronger teams and that is where we need to head, so what better way to actually understand your levels,’ said Muhumuza at the team’s flag-off by National Council of Sports (NCS) assistant secretary general (technical) Milton Chebet.Uganda’s preparations have been steady all year-from the Women’s Day Cup and Lyca T20 Cup at home to the tours of Namibia and Rwanda, the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Windhoek, and the recent 5-0 whitewash of Canada in Lugogo. But this assignment is steeper.Lowly ranked’We are ranked second last amongst all the teams, so definitely we are going to have to work harder than everyone else,’ admitted skipper Janet Mbabazi.The Pearls enter today’s matchup against a Scotland side they have never beaten. In their two T20I meetings, Uganda was bundled out for 43 in 2018 and 52 in 2024, with Scotland cruising to emphatic wins each time.The Scots have also enjoyed a longer acclimatisation period in Thailand, taking part in a quadrangular warm-up series in which they went unbeaten, and showing their pedigree at the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier with a stunning victory over West Indies and tight affairs against Pakistan, Ireland and Thailand.It is no surprise that Scotland arrive ranked 11th in the world-seven places above Uganda-and appear battle-hardened. Uganda only landed in Bangkok on Tuesday and managed a single session yesterday before today’s 9:30am start (5:30am EAT).Spin-friendly conditionsStill, in Bangladesh-like heat and on turning surfaces, the Pearls have their own quiet confidence built on consistency and expanding depth. Young guns like Malisa Ariokot and Irene Mutonyi have been drafted in for bowling options, while form players Esther Iloku, Rita Musamali and Mbabazi will anchor the batting. Experience from Consy Aweko and Immaculate Nakisuyi adds calm in pressure spells.
‘It is not every day that we get to play countries with ODI status. Our plan is to finish in the top four. We want to work on our rankings as a team and also go to places where teams like Scotland have gone,’ Mbabazi emphasised. ‘All of us have plans to market our individual games and sell our brands to the world. We want to take care of our processes and the things that are in our control as a team.’With ICC placing a premium on rankings-teams must remain in the top 18 to secure at least $250,000 (Shs870m) in annual high-performance funding-Uganda are aware that every win counts. Scotland will test Uganda’s resolve, but the tournament offers multiple chances to grow, adapt and spring upsets. For a team hungry to rise, today is about signalling intent in unfamiliar but fertile territory.TALKING POINTSTEEP TESTNew Ground. This tournament marks the first time Uganda will face multiple ODI-status sides in a single global event outside a World Cup qualifier, sharpening the learning curve and accelerating growth. With Scotland already acclimatised, unbeaten in warm-ups and historically dominant in this fixture, Uganda must rely on discipline, simple plans and execution under pressure to turn the tide.ICC WOMEN’S EMERGING NATIONS TROPHYFixtures – Day One (Thailand)Thailand vs Netherlands, 05:30amTerdthai Cricket Ground, BangkokPapua New Guinea vs United Arab Emirates, 05:30amAsian Institute of Technology Ground, BangkokScotland vs Uganda, 09:45amTerdthai Cricket Ground, BangkokNamibia vs Tanzania, 09:45amAsian Institute of Technology Ground, BangkokNUMBERS UTILITY2 – Previous T20I meetings between Uganda and Scotland; both won by Scotland.11 – Scotland’s global T20I ranking, the highest in the tournament.18 – Uganda’s T20I world ranking, the mark they must protect to retain ICC funding.250,000 – Minimum annual ICC dollars (Shs870m) tied to top-18 status.5-0 – Uganda’s series result against Canada last month.5 – Teams in the tournament with ODI status.8 – Total competing nations in the inaugural event.