ERIC Dusingizimana will captain the senior national cricket team in next month’s ICC Africa Division 3 T20 tournament in Accra, Ghana.

This was confirmed yesterday by Rwanda’s cricket governing body, RCA. Dusingizimana, 20 takes over from Dennis Mukama a.k.a Taga, who led the side during last year’s ICC World Cricket League-affiliates tournament in Malawi where Rwanda finished third.

The hard-hitting opening batsman, who also keeps wickets for his club (KCT) and country, started playing the game in 2006 but has made terrific progress since then.

In 2007, he announced his arrival with two man-of-the match awards. The following year, he made it into the national U19 and senior team and enjoyed international success with bat and gloves. On top of his 87 on the international scene, he is also one of four players to score a century on the local scene.

Speaking to this reporter yesterday, Dusingizimana said that he was not under any added pressure and that he is relishing the new challenge.

"It is a great honour to be given this responsibility and I’m ready to give my best to make sure the team delivers,” he said.

The T20 event slated to run from February 24-27 is Rwanda’s to lose after being seeded top. Other contenders include Morocco, Gambia, Mali, Cameroon, Lesotho, Seychelles and St. Hellena.

The provisional team has now been trimmed down to 19 from a pre-selected 32. The final squad will have 14 players. Coach Adam Arnold has enormous confidence in the team after referring to it as "a great pool of talent and skill that has potential to be a great success.”

Provisional squad: Eric Dusingizimana (Capt),  Srinath  Vardhineni (Vice), Subashish Samal, Shijith Khallada, Evode Mutuyimana, Mihir Solanki, Sairam Gopalan, Dennis Mukama, Joseph Tuyishimire, Eric Hirwa Dusabemungu, Desire Sebahire,  Andre Kayitera, Audifax Byiringiro, Christian Mwijanda, Derrick Bayingana, Jean  Claude Siboniyo, Bob Bashil Songa, Julius Mbaraga and Don de Dieu Mugisha.  

Ends