Uganda completed the lineup for the upcoming World T20 set to be hosted in the Caribbean and the USA, securing the 20th and final spot for the tournament. Their qualification was sealed with an impressive nine-wicket victory over Rwanda in Windhoek, where they restricted their opponents to 65 runs, ensuring a top-two finish in the African qualifiers’ round-robin phase.
Throughout their campaign, Uganda amassed 10 points from six fixtures, with their only loss occurring against Namibia, a team that had already secured qualification for the main event before their encounter. The turning point for Uganda arrived during a match against Zimbabwe on November 26, where they successfully chased down a target of 137 with five wickets and as many balls to spare.
This victory was followed by a comprehensive 33-run win against Kenya. Both Zimbabwe and Kenya, despite being higher ranked in the ICC standings compared to Uganda, had earlier suffered defeats against Namibia, securing them third and fourth positions in the qualifiers.
Interestingly, this World T20 qualification marks Uganda’s debut as an independent nation, having previously been part of the East Africa team in the inaugural 1975 World Cup. Uganda is expected to face only their second-ever Test-playing nation in this tournament, which will feature 20 teams divided into four groups of five each.
Celebrations just got started!
— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) November 30, 2023
T20 World Cup-bound Uganda once again took the famous nursery school rhyme to the global audience.
Ekibobo kili mu nyumba led by coach @OgwangOyuku – Indeed the boys got the big basket in the house.#CricketCranesInColour #Twaake @PlasconUganda pic.twitter.com/V9ySSE4PKs
Furthermore, Uganda joins the ranks of nine teams without Test status to qualify for the tournament, alongside countries such as the USA, the Netherlands, Scotland, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Oman, and Namibia.