Uganda: T20 World Cup qualification ‘a dream come true’, says captain Brian Masaba

Uganda’s qualification for the men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 is nothing short of a fairy tale, according to their jubilant captain, Brian Masaba. In a stunning turn of events, Uganda secured their spot in the tournament with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Rwanda, marking their maiden appearance on cricket’s grandest stage.

Masaba, who is 32 years old, could hardly contain his excitement as he shared his thoughts with the BBC World Service’s Sportsworld. “We’re still trying to process all the emotions,” he exclaimed. “It’s been a long process, a long journey. This is the culmination of a lot of sweat, blood, and tears. As a team, it was a very, very special moment for us.”

Indeed, the journey to qualification was a rollercoaster ride for Uganda. The turning point, as Masaba fondly recalls, came when they defeated Zimbabwe, a cricketing heavyweight, by five wickets in their first T20 International against a full ICC member. This remarkable victory gave Uganda the belief that they could control their destiny. “Once we beat Zimbabwe, we knew our fate was in our own hands, and the boys stood up,” Masaba said with pride.

The elation continued as Uganda cruised to a nine-wicket triumph over Nigeria and defeated neighboring Kenya by 33 runs. However, the most celebratory moment came when they thrashed Rwanda by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 65 runs. The scenes of jubilation among the players and a small band of traveling fans were nothing short of heartwarming.

What makes Uganda’s journey even more remarkable is the lack of a professional cricket system in the country. Many of the players had to make significant sacrifices, balancing work, family duties, and schooling while pursuing their cricketing dreams. Masaba hopes that their success can be a catalyst for the growth of cricket in Uganda. “Hopefully going forward, maybe we can fully professionalize and it just opens up opportunities for a lot of guys,” he passionately expressed.

Uganda’s qualification also sends a powerful message about the potential for cricket to grow in Africa. It proves that, given the right support and opportunities, the sport can flourish beyond the traditional cricketing powerhouses. Masaba firmly believes that his team, despite their underdog status, can make an impact on the global stage. “We will walk into the World Cup firmly believing that we have a chance to win a couple of games. That’s the mentality that has got us through this qualifier, and it’s the same mentality we’ll carry to the World Cup,” he declared confidently.

In a tournament that will be hosted in the United States and the West Indies, Uganda’s journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of cricket and the dreams that can come true on the pitch. While they may idolize global cricketing superstars like Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli, Uganda’s Cricket Cranes are ready to pen their own chapter of cricketing history on the world stage. It’s a story that is bound to capture the hearts of fans, both in Uganda and around the globe, and it all started with that historic victory over Zimbabwe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cricket Qualification

More about Cricket Qualification

• Uganda’s Qualification for T20 World Cup 2024 – BBC Sport’s coverage of Uganda’s historic qualification for the T20 World Cup.
• T20 World Cup – Official website of the T20 World Cup for updates and information about the tournament.
• Cricket in Uganda – ICC’s page on Uganda’s cricket journey and development in the region.