In their last round match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup African Regional Qualifier in Windhoek, Namibia, on Thursday, November 30, Uganda defeated Rwanda by nine wickets to clinch a historic qualifying to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, in their third game, the Brian Masaba-captained team defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets, which was their first step toward qualifying.
Uganda’s victory allowed them to secure the second position on the seven-team table and earn a ticket in the big event, with Namibia having won all five of their games to date.
Uganda, which has never taken part in a senior international men’s ICC tournament, has achieved its greatest-ever victory.
Match Day – #ICCT20WCQ
Game 6 – Result
Rwanda65/10
Uganda66/1
Uganda won by 9 wickets
(with 71 balls to spare)
MOM; Alpesh RamjaniWe’re going for the ‘BIG DANCE’ to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies & USA
.#CricketCranesInColour#Twaake @PlasconUganda pic.twitter.com/or96A4h0YB
— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) November 30, 2023
With two significant wickets of Martin Akayezu and Muhammad Nadir under his belt, Captain Masaba led by example for his team during their historic victory, finishing with figures of 2/10 in four overs.In addition to him, Henry Ssenyondo (2/10, four overs), Dinesh Nakrani (2/16, 3.5 overs), and Alpesh Ramjani (2/1, three overs) all claimed two wickets apiece as Rwanda was dismissed for 65 in 18.5 overs.
With significant contributions from Simon Ssesazi (26* off 21), Ronak Patel (18 off 20), and Roger Mukasa (13* off 8), Uganda easily chased down the mark in 8.1 overs.
One for the history books
Uganda are going to their first-ever ICC World Cup! They qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup along with Namibia.
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.#T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/M4kZVhEhU6— FanCode (@FanCode) November 30, 2023
2024 T20 World Cup confirmed for all 20 teams
Concurrently, all 20 of the countries that will compete in the T20 World Cup in 2024 were confirmed following Uganda’s historic victory. Along with the top eight teams from the previous tournament in Australia 2022—Australia, India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand—the West Indies and the USA secured a straight qualifying to host the T20 extravaganza. Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who were rated second and third respectively, also automatically qualified.
Also Read: Sikandar Raza becomes the first Zimbabwean player to pick a T20I hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier
Regional qualification events were held in Asia, Africa, the Americas, East Asia Pacific, and Europe to determine the remaining eight teams. Ireland, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Nepal, Oman, PNG, and Canada emerged as the winners and were guaranteed spots.
The 20 participating countries in the T20 World Cup will likely be split into five groups of four for the competition, which is expected to start on June 3. In the Super 8 stage, where they will once more be split into two groups of four teams, the top two teams from each group will proceed. The top two teams from each of the two Super 8s groups will advance to the semifinals, where the winners will face off in the championship game.
India
