Uganda’s cricket team made history by qualifying for the T20 World Cup for the first time, defeating Rwanda in their most recent Africa area qualifier. Zimbabwe was thus disqualified from the main competition, which is scheduled for the USA and the West Indies the following year.
Earlier in the competition, Namibia was the first team to win one of the two spots that were up for grabs in order to advance to the tournament.
Uganda was the favourite to win going into the last round of matches on Thursday, November 30, when they faced a winless Rwanda. Zimbabwe needed to beat Kenya and hope that Uganda would slip against Rwanda in order to overtake Uganda in the points table. But Rwanda never bounced back after losing a wicket in the opening over of their innings.
The Rwandan batting lineup collapsed spectacularly, with only two players reaching double digits. After Rwanda was eventually bowled out for just 65, Uganda easily overcame that total to win by nine wickets and guarantee their spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
As the in-form captain Sikandar Raza moved up the order and blasted eight sixes en route to his 48-ball 82, Zimbabwe did everything in their power. Even though Zimbabwe scored 217 as a result, their defeat to Uganda four days prior ultimately damaged them.
History of cricket
The national institution in charge of organising and advancing cricket in Uganda is the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA). The National Council of Sports is a member of the UCA. Uganda became a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998 as an Associate Member. The game’s origins may be traced back to the entrance of the Indians and British control. Busoga College Mwiri, King’s College Budo, Makerere College School, and Nyakasura School were the first institutions to teach it. Over time, it spread among the corresponding ethnic groups—Africans, Europeans, Asians, and Goans—outside of the schools.
Between the four pioneer schools, ‘Schools Cricket Week’ began in 1939. Since then, this competition has grown to become a recurring event that produces cricket players for the national team. A local triangular tournament evolved in the 1940s and 1950s, eventually growing into a quadrangular. When the East African Championship was held for the first time in 1966, Uganda won. Before Uganda became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1998, this tournament became a significant and nearly exclusive international event for the country.
The evolution of cricket and its international aspect
The men’s national team from Uganda has participated in several ICC World Cricket Leagues (WCL) and ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Uganda suffered narrow defeats to elite partners like as Ireland, Scotland, and Afghanistan. The Under 19 National Team is currently the runner-up Africa Zone champions behind Namibia. They participated in the ICC World Cup in Bangladesh in 2004 and Sri Lanka in 2006. Following the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in Zimbabwe in April, the Women National team is presently ranked second in Africa.
Every national team has its roots in schools development programs and little cricket. The Uganda Cricket Association has received multiple ICC Development Awards as a result of these initiatives. In the Northern Uganda Region, cricket has been utilized as a tool for community cohesion, healing, and bonding since 2012. UCA adopted cricket throughout the region’s rehabilitation process to aid in the process of peace and reconciliation and to provide life skills programs to the younger population. This is effective since interschool and regional tournaments and galas strengthen community bonds.
Players
1 Zephania Arinaitwe
2 Emmanuel Isaneez
3 Hamu Kayondo
4 Deusdedit Muhumuza‡
5 Roger Mukasa‡
6 Dinesh Nakrani
7 Frank Nsubuga
8 Arnold Otwani‡†
9 Riazat Ali Shah‡
10 Henry Ssenyondo
11 Charles Waiswa
12 Rogers Olipa
13 Fred Achelam†
14 Brian Masaba‡
15 Frank Akankwasa
16 Trevor Bukenya
17 Kenneth Waiswa‡
18 Cosmas Kyewuta
19 Ronak Patel
20 Saud Islam
21 Jonathan Ssebanja
22 Bilal Hassan
23 Simon Ssesazi†
24 Gerald Mubiru
25 Richard Agamiire
26 Juma Miyagi
27 Pascal Murungi
28 Alpesh Ramjani
29 Joseph Baguma
30 Ismail Munir
31 Cyrus Kakuru†
32 Ronald Lutaaya
33 Emmanuel Hasahya
34 Siraje Nsubuga
35 Robinson Obuya