The Uganda Cricket Cranes will compete against six other teams for the two slots in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s 2024 T20 World Cup qualifiers in the USA and West Indies.
The team was flagged off on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the National Council of Sports by NCS Asst. General Secretary David Katende. The tournament is slated for November 20–30, 2023.
Uganda’s opponents include hosts Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Kenya.
The tournament will commence on November 22, 2023, but the team leaves early as they will make a stop in Zimbabwe for a 10-day preparatory game against local club Takashinga.
The top two teams at the end of the round-robin format will qualify for the main event of the 20-team tournament in 2024. Namibia and Zimbabwe were both at the 2022 World Cup in Australia and are overwhelming favourites to clinch the two slots.
Coach Jackson Ogwang, who took over as interim head coach after Laurence Mahatlane’s contract elapsed, will take charge of the team for the first time since his appointment in September 2023.
Ogwang said that the team is ready to make Uganda proud.
“The team is ready to make Uganda proud; for the last three years, we have been preparing for this event, and we are certain something has to finally give,” Ogwang said.
He added that the focus might be on getting one over either Zimbabwe or Namibia.
“The focus might be on getting one over either Zimbabwe or Namibia, but as a team, every game is important, and therefore the intensity we play with against Zimbabwe is the same energy we bring for Rwanda. We aim to take care of our business, and fate will decide the rest, but if we play to our potential, we shall be at the World Cup,” he added.
Uganda is ranked 23rd in the global T20 rankings. The 15-man squad will be captained by Brian Masaba.
Full Squad: 1. Brian Masaba ©, 2. Riazat Ali Shah, 3. Kenneth Waiswa, 4. Ronak Patel, 5. Dinesh Nakrani, 6. Simon Ssesazi, 7. Henry Ssenyondo, 8. Frank Nsubuga, 9. Robinson Obuya, 10. David Wabwire, 11. Jonathan Ssebanja, 12. Roger Mukasa, 13. Bilal Hassun, 14. Cyrus Kakuru, 15. Alpesh Ramjani
Team Officials: Jackson Ogwang (Head Coach), Emmanuel Oroma (S&C Coach), Shamim Nassali (Physiotherapist), Tusiime Steven (Team Analyst), Innocent Ndawula (Media Liaison), Charles Waiswa (Team Manager)
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