Brian Likavu will be hoping to finally make his long-awaited international debut when Kenya travels to Rwanda for the IL T20 tournament after being included in the 14-member squad unveiled by Cricket Kenya on Friday.
The wicketkeeper/batsman, who turned 21 on August 9, is the new face in the travelling team and returns to the national set-up five years after he was last selected for an overseas assignment without getting an opportunity to play.
“I am very happy to be back. This is the second time I am being named in the national travelling team. The last time I was in the team was in 2021, but I did not make my debut,” Likavu told Justice Gauge in an interview.
He attributed his lengthy absence to fitness problems and revealed that he had worked hard to earn another call-up.
“Hopefully, this time round, I will get the chance to make my debut. What kept me out for that long was that I was not fit. I have been working so hard to get that call-up again,” he disclosed.
Likavu noted that he was not setting lofty personal targets, but wanted to take his opportunity, show what he can contribute and establish himself in the team.
“I don't have very high personal targets, but to get the chance to show what I can offer and to stay in the team. My target is to start slow as I grow,” he explained.
Unveiled at Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi, the squad will be captained by Dhiren Gondaria as Kenya returns to international competition on the road.
Gondaria will be joined by Gurdeep Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Sachin Gil, Rakep Patel, Likavu, Shem Ngoche, Francis Mutua, Lucas Danderson, Vishal But, Vishal Patel, Peter Koech, Nitish Hirani, Gerald Muthui and Rishabh Patel.
Yash Talati and Thomas Ochang have been named as reserves.
Kenya will travel to Rwanda on Tuesday ahead of the tournament, which runs from September 3-13. The team opens its campaign against Nigeria on September 3, with matches scheduled at Gahanga B Oval and Gahanga Main Oval.
The squad announcement was also marked by Cricket Kenya chairman Bhavesh Gohil handing over a new bowling machine to the national men's team as part of efforts to improve preparations and player development.
Gohil described the occasion as a significant moment in his tenure, saying it was the first time under his leadership that Cricket Kenya had formally unveiled a national team preparing to travel outside the country to represent Kenya.
“This is a memorable day,” said Gohil , expressing confidence in the new Cricket Kenya board and its commitment to rebuilding the national team.
Selectors chairman Rikesh Hirani challenged the selected players to fight for the country while urging those who missed out to continue working hard.
“We are warriors. We have taken up this opportunity to make sure we fight for our country,” said Hirani.
He revealed that selection was based on several factors, including discipline, fitness and performances, with selectors working alongside the coaches and captain in assessing players.
Hirani stressed that the door remained open to players outside the current squad, saying Cricket Kenya wanted a bigger pool from which the best players could be selected for national duty.
He singled out Likavu as an example of the federation's willingness to give young players an opportunity and urged emerging cricketers to work hard and challenge established players for places.
Cricket Kenya vice-chairman Pearlyne Omamo said the board had given the team its full backing while praising the selection process for being professional and transparent.
She added that the federation hoped improved standards in selection, preparation and support would eventually translate into better performances on the field.
Gondaria said the team was confident and well prepared for the Rwanda assignment and promised to give maximum effort.
“We are very much confident for the tournament and very much prepared. With the help of the board, I think we will try to give our 120 per cent and make Kenya proud,” promised the captain.
He dismissed concerns about the relatively young squad, saying the presence of younger players was a positive development. He called on senior players to help build the youngsters' confidence and encourage them to play their natural game.
Gondaria said Kenya would concentrate on one match at a time rather than focus on the eventual outcome.
“Our plan is to play the tournament game by game. There are so many games. We always target one game at a time,” he noted.
The captain also drew confidence from Kenya's recent batting performances, pointing out that the team had done particularly well while chasing targets in its last five matches.
He described the Rwanda tournament as especially important because Kenya had not competed in such a long competition for some time, and thanked the Cricket Kenya board for providing the opportunity.
The new bowling machine is expected to further strengthen the team's preparations.
The head coach said the squad was well balanced and expressed confidence that Kenya could perform strongly in Rwanda. He also thanked Gohil for providing the equipment, describing the machine as something the national set-up had needed for a long time.
Development director Thomas Odoyo explained that the machine would enable batsmen to face deliveries repeatedly and adapt to the pace and demands of international cricket.
“In cricket when you train, you need to hit more balls. There are things that humans can't do on their own, so you need a machine to help you with that,” said Odoyo.
He explained that Cricket Kenya had previously owned bowling machines, but they had broken down, leaving the federation without one for about four years.
Odoyo disclosed that the machine was only the beginning, with the next priority being the construction of a proper surface on which it could be used effectively.
He noted that the equipment would enable batsmen to face hundreds, and potentially more than 1,000 balls, without the fatigue associated with a human bowler, helping them improve technique and consistency.
The machine can also simulate different deliveries, allowing players to work on specific aspects of their batting mechanics.
Odoyo said Cricket Kenya was now seeking to rebuild and modernise its training environment after years without such equipment.
Gohil, meanwhile, said improving player welfare had remained one of his priorities since taking office four months ago.
He added that the federation had paid six months of salary arrears owed to players and was putting medical insurance cover in place. He added that 95 per cent of player contracts had been agreed and signed, with only two still unresolved.
Gohil also said players who missed out on the Rwanda squad would continue training with the wider national pool and could be considered for future assignments.
He welcomed competition for places, saying having between 40 and 50 players available would be healthy for Kenyan cricket and provide selectors with a stronger pool from which to choose.
The chairman urged the team to raise the Kenyan flag high in Rwanda and make the country proud.
Gondaria echoed the appeal, asking Kenyan fans to continue believing in the team as it begins its campaign.
“Just keep faith in us. We’ll do our best, we’ll give our 100 per cent and make Kenya proud,” he said.
With a mixture of experienced players and emerging talent, Kenya now turns its attention to Rwanda, where it hopes to make a strong impression when the IL T20 tournament gets underway on September 3.
