The T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to kick start on June 2nd, promising to be an electrifying tournament with 20 teams vying for the ultimate glory. For the first time, the T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. This edition is particularly significant as it marks the inclusion of more nations, highlighting the ICC’s efforts to globalize cricket. Among the debutants, Uganda’s participation is a testament to the growing reach of the sport.

Debut of Uganda in T20 World Cup

Uganda’s path to qualification for the T20 World Cup 2024 is a story of determination and hard work. After defeating Zimbabwe in the qualifiers, Uganda secured its spot in the tournament, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: 3 key players to watch out for from South Africa

Uganda’s first match is against the West Indies, a team known for its T20 prowess. This will be a challenging start, but a strong performance can set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament.

3 Uganda’s players to watch out for in T20 World Cup 2024

Uganda’s chances in the tournament will heavily rely on the performances of a few key players who have proven their mettle in international cricket.

1. Bilal Hassan

Bilal Hassan, known as “Billy Blanks,” is a right-arm fast bowler who opens the bowling for Uganda. His ability to take crucial wickets early in the innings makes him a vital asset for the team.

Bilal has taken 65 wickets in 43 T20I innings for Uganda, 44 of which were bowled out dismissals. This places him second on the all-time list for such wickets in T20Is, just behind Rashid Khan.

Bilal’s consistency and ability to deliver under pressure will be crucial for Uganda. His experience and skill set provide the team with a strong foundation in the bowling department.

2. Juma Miyaji

Juma Miyaji, inspired by England’s Jofra Archer, is a fast bowler who has quickly made a name for himself in international cricket. His pace and control are key attributes that strengthen Uganda’s bowling lineup.

Miyaji has captured 34 wickets in just 20 T20I innings, maintaining an impressive economy rate of less than six runs per over. His best figures of 3/7 highlight his ability to perform in crucial matches.

Miyaji’s ability to bowl economically and take wickets at crucial times makes him a linchpin in Uganda’s bowling strategy. His performances will be pivotal in restricting opposition teams to manageable totals.

3. Simon Ssesazi

Simon Ssesazi, a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, is another key player for Uganda. Drawing inspiration from Chris Gayle, Ssesazi’s aggressive batting style is crucial for setting competitive totals.

With over 2,000 runs in 76 T20I innings, including one century, Ssesazi has proven his capability as a consistent run-scorer. His average of over 30 underscores his importance in the batting lineup.

Ssesazi’s role at the top of the order is to provide strong starts and build solid partnerships. His aggressive approach can put pressure on the opposition and set a strong foundation for Uganda’s innings.

Uganda’s strength lies in its balanced bowling attack, with players like Bilal Hassan and Juma Miyaji leading the charge. The team also boasts emerging batting talents like Simon Ssesazi, who can turn the game around with their performances.

As the world of cricket is evolving globally, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken measures to enhance the sport’s reach. Be it through quirky promotional strategies or tournament formats, they have done it all to achieve it.

The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the West Indies and USA, acts as the byproduct of it. With over 20 teams and five groups, it will be exciting and intense to watch how the tournament goes on, especially from the nine associate teams, who are up to display their promising game. Here’s a list of the 2024 T20 World Cup associate members’ team captains.

1. United States of America: Monank Patel

Born in Gujarat, India, Monank Patel has been one of the robust batters of the USA cricketing arsenal. In his 25-match T20I stint, he has scored 441 runs at an average of 22.1. He started his initial cricketing days for the Gujarat Cricket team, where he has represented as a batter in the Under-16 & Under-19 squads.

His captaincy has flummoxed the Bangladesh side, leading to a series win against them recently. This impressive track record makes him an interesting key player to watch out for in the tournament, sparking excitement among cricket enthusiasts.

2. Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus 

Gerhard Erasmus will represent Namibia as a captain in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Kickstarting his career for the country way back in 2011, Erasmus has played a pivotal role in being the all-rounder face for the team.

In his 57 T20I matches, he has scored 1339 runs at an average of 32.66, while he has scalped 43 wickets at an economy of 5.1. In addition, he has won the 2022 ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year, which sets him to lead from the front for his side in the coming clashes.

3. Canada: Saad Bin Zafar

Canada would debut in the T20 World Cup tournament format, with Saad Bin Zafar leading the team. He has been one of the most reliable pacers in the team’s bowling attack. He comes in during the middle overs and delivers some economical overs, putting pressure on the hitters and taking up wickets.

Zafar can also score runs from later down the order, so having him on the team may ensure you score in both innings. In his 38-match T20I stint, he has scalped 43 wickets at a commendable pacer’s economy of 6.44.

4. Oman: Aqib Ilyas

Oman’s captain, Aqib Ilyas, hails from Sialkot, Pakistan, where he got his craze taste towards the sport of cricket. Predominant for his all-rounding abilities, the captain will use his bat and ball skills to keep the team together.

The 31-year-old was named the Player of the Series in the Asia Qualifiers and is one of the squad’s most seasoned members, and he will rely on that expertise in the tournament. Sulehri’s efficacy as an all-rounder makes him a must-have for the Oman team. In 48 T20Is, he has made 1176 runs at an average of 28.68 and 37 wickets at an economy of 5.93.

5. Uganda: Brian Masaba

Brian Masaba will be leading the Ugandan side in the upcoming tournament. Calling it a ‘Dream come True’ moment for his team, it wouldn’t be a surprise for an associate member like Uganda to give its best on the cricket field amongst its top-notch competitors.

The 32-year-old cricketer has played 57 T20I matches, scoring 433 runs at an average of 19, and scalped 18 wickets at an economy of 5.26.

Also Read: Know everything about India’s 2024 T20 World Cup warm-up match

6. Papua New Guinea: Assadollah Vala

Assadollah Vala is Papua New Guinea’s T20 World Cup 2024 captain. He is one of the team’s most experienced players, able to contribute with both the bat and the ball.

Vala was PNG’s second-highest run-scorer in the East Asia Pacific Qualifiers held last year. The left-hander enjoys batting long and can put up huge numbers. Furthermore, he is a skilled off-spinner. Throughout his 59-match stint, he scored 1244 runs and took 34 key wickets.

7. Netherlands: Scott Edwards

The Dutch cricket side would be under the captaincy of wicketkeeper batter Scott Edwards. Edwards’ batting is defined by elegance rather than power, as he frustrates fields with aggressive running and various sweeps and reverses.

His leadership has led the Netherlands to unprecedented success, including a top-eight performance at the 2022 T20 World Cup and direct qualifying for the following edition. In 60 T20I appearances, he has scored 737 runs with a strike rate of 120 and an average of 20.

8. Nepal: Rohit Paudel

Rohit Paudel is a 21-year-old young and emerging player who is all set to lead an experienced campaign of the Nepal cricket team in its second T20 World Cup appearance. Paudel, a youthful and skilled batter, is one of Nepal’s most consistent hitters.

Paudel, a youthful and skilled batter, is one of Nepal’s most consistent hitters. The 21-year-old will most likely bat at No. 3 and bear much responsibility for the Nepal team’s success. In his 59 appearances, he has 1442 runs at an average of 33.53 with a strike rate of 133.

9. Scotland: Richie Berrington

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Richie Berrington is synonymous with being an experienced candidate and leader for the Scotland Cricket team. The 37-year-old all-rounder is prominent for his ball-striking ability. Also, his ability to give the ball a bit of seam and medium pace is another speciality of cricketing skills.

It is no surprise that the associate member of Scotland would utilise the experience quotient of their captain. In his colossal 112 T20I matches campaign, he has made 2628 runs at an average of 30.91 and scalped 36 wickets at an economy of 7.68.

The Uganda cricket team is on the brink of a significant milestone as they prepare to debut in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This tournament represents a golden opportunity for Uganda to showcase their talent on the global stage. Despite a modest track record in T20 cricket over the past two years, the team, under the leadership of Brian Masaba, is geared up to make a strong statement.

Historical Background

Uganda’s first independent participation in an ICC tournament was the 2001 ICC Trophy in Canada. Despite consistent participation, Uganda has struggled to qualify for major ICC events until their breakthrough in the 2023 Africa Qualifier, earning their spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Recent Performance in T20 Cricket

Uganda has played 80 T20 matches in the past two years, securing 30 wins. This performance highlights the team’s potential but also underscores areas needing improvement. Uganda’s journey to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 was marked by a closely contested qualification campaign in Africa. The team, led by Brian Masaba, showcased resilience and skill, with standout performances from players like Alpesh Ramjani and Frank Nsubuga.

See Also: Team India’s journey in T20 World Cup since 2007

Squad Overview

The Uganda squad for the ICC T20 World Cup is a blend of experience and youth. Key players include the seasoned Frank Nsubuga, an all-rounder known for his fearless bowling, and young talents like Juma Miyaji, who impressed in the 2022 U-19 World Cup. The aggressive batting styles of Riazat Ali Shah and Dinesh Nakrani add depth to the lineup, making Uganda a team to watch.

SWOT Analysis of Uganda’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Strengths

Uganda’s strengths lie in its talented all-rounders and experienced campaigners. Frank Nsubuga, the oldest player in the tournament at 43, brings a wealth of experience and composure.

Alpesh Ramjani and Riazat Ali Shah are crucial for their all-round capabilities, while young Juma Miyaji adds fresh energy and potential. The team’s performance in the qualifiers demonstrated their ability to compete under pressure, a valuable asset in the World Cup.

Individually, players like Alpesh Ramjani and Riazat Ali Shah are game-changers with their aggressive batting and handy bowling. Frank Nsubuga’s invaluable experience and leadership provide stability and strategic insight.

Weaknesses

A significant area for improvement for Uganda is their lack of experience at the highest level of international cricket. Unlike established teams, Ugandan players have limited exposure to high-pressure situations in major tournaments.

To overcome their inexperience, Uganda must focus on mental and tactical preparation. The team needs to develop strategies to handle high-pressure situations and improve consistency.

Enhancing their middle-order batting and refining their bowling attack will be crucial for success. Learning from past mistakes and adapting quickly to the demands of the tournament will be essential.

Opportunities

The 2024 T20 World Cup allows Uganda to put their cricket on the global map. Success in this tournament can inspire a new generation of cricketers in Uganda and boost the sport’s popularity and development.

Additionally, strong performances can attract attention from global T20 leagues, offering players invaluable experience and exposure. A strong World Cup showing for Ugandan cricket can boost the sport’s profile and attract more young talent, fostering the next generation of cricketers.

Threats

Uganda faces formidable threats from established cricketing powerhouses like India, England, and Australia. These teams have deep, experienced squads and are accustomed to the pressures of World Cup cricket.

Competing against such formidable opponents will be a steep learning curve. Moreover, the volatile nature of T20 cricket means that a single bad performance can dramatically impact their campaign.

To succeed, Uganda must adopt a fearless and adaptive approach. Emphasizing teamwork, focusing on mental toughness, and honing their tactical game will be critical.

Uganda’s Squad: Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah (vc), Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya