David Obuya makes a run in a past match. He will be in action for Rift Valley Saturday in the newly launched East Africa league. [Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard]

By Oscar Pilipili

Cricket fans in Kenya and Uganda are in for a big treat following the launch of East Africa Premier League (EAPL), which will runs for the next seven weeks.

The opening match of the tournament will see Kongonis lock horns with Kanbis at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.

Four teams from Kenya and two from Uganda will take part in the event.

Kanbis Tigers are the new franchise in the league replacing Nairobi Buffaloes while the other Kenyan three teams Coast Pekee, Kongonis and Rift Valley Buffaloes were retained.

According to the fixtures released during the launch of the competition at Nairobi Gymkhana on Thursday, Uganda will field Nile Knights and Rwenzori Warriors.

Like each of the six teams participating, Kongonis and Kanbis have packed themselves with the much-needed arsenal to last the distance.

On paper, the two teams appear strong but one can’t afford to overlook the other four sides in the competition.

Each of the teams has their own specialty. For example, Coast Pekee who underperformed last season have put up a strong side which is a blend of youth and experience in bid to make impact in the competition.

Coast Pekee armory features the likes of former national team captains Jimmy Kamande, Maurice Ouma, Nehemiah and Alfred Luseno.

Rift Valley will bank on the experience of spin bowler Hiren Varaiya, pacer Peter Ongondo and veteran wicketkeeper David Obuya to sail through. Alex Obanda showed what he can do with the bat when he impressed in the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in United Arabs Emirates and with him and Collins Obuya leading Kongonis attack, last season finalists are likely to give opponents a run for their money.

Apart from the established players trying to outdo each other, the youngsters such as Peter Koech, Nick Oluoch, Dhirendra Gondaria, Mohammed Kalyan will be trying to make a name for themselves.

So, it’s a win-win situation for the player, franchise and the viewer. With the fastest format of the game about to begin, it is time to get ready for some high-octane action that will see six evenly matched sides fighting for the big prize.