Uganda Archives

Ugandan stars to miss World Athletics Championships

Uganda’s half-marathon world record holder, Jacob Kiplimo, and double Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei, will miss this month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to personal reasons, the country’s athletics federation said late on Tuesday.

Kiplimo, 24, became the first person to run the half-marathon in under 57 minutes when he set a stunning world record of 56 minutes, 42 seconds in Barcelona this year.

Cheptegei, 28, won gold in the 5,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and in the 10,000 metres at last year’s Paris Games, but finished ninth in the Tokyo Marathon in March this year.

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Uganda’s Olympic Committee President Don Rukare said it was “unfortunate” that the two stars would miss the championship in the Japanese capital.

“We are respecting the personal reasons the two have earlier advanced,” Rukare told AFP.

“We are having consultations on the way forward, but there should not be any reason for Ugandans and sports enthusiasts to be alarmed,” he added.

Uganda is yet to release the list of athletes set to compete at the World Championships, which will be held from September 13–21.

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Ruthless New Zealand decimate Uganda to register first win in T20 World Cup

TAROUBA: A ruthless bowling performance, followed by Devon Conway’s quick knock helped New Zealand ease past Uganda in the 32nd match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Brian Lara Stadium on Friday.

Set to chase a modest 41, New Zealand chased down the total in just 5.2, courtesy of Conway’s 22.

The Kiwi side started things cautiously as they lost Finn Allen, who scored 9 off 17, in the fifth over with 24 runs on the board.

However, Conway struck Juma Miyagi for back-to-back fours to finish the match in 5.2 overs. Conway scored 22 off 15 with the help of four boundaries.

For Uganda, Riazat Ali Shah picked the only wicket.

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New Zealand inserted Uganda to bat first and Trent Boult proved the decision right as he picked back-to-back wickets in the first over with one run on the board.

Uganda failed to recover after a disastrous start and kept losing wickets at an alarming rate. They were subsequently bundled out at a paltry total in 18.4 overs.

Kenneth Waiswa was the only batter to amass the double figures as he top-scored for the associate nation with 11. Whereas, Fred Achelam (9) was the only other notable contributor.

Tim Southee spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling attack with the bowling figures of 3-4, while Boult, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra claimed two wickets each.

This nine-wicket victory was New Zealand’s first victory in the ongoing tournament after being knocked out after two back-to-back losses against Afghanistan and West Indies.

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T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand win toss, opt to field against Uganda

TAROUBA: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first against Uganda in the 32nd match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Brian Lara Stadium on Friday.

PLAYING XIs

Uganda: Ronak Patel, Simon Ssesazi (wk), Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Alpesh Ramjani, Dinesh Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa, Brian Masaba (c), Fred Achelam, Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta

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New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

READ: Tim Southee reprimanded by ICC over code of conduct breach

T20 World Cup 2024: Akeal Hosein takes five as West Indies decimate Uganda

GUYANA: Akeal Hosein claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is to steer West Indies to a crushing 134-run victory over Uganda in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Providence Stadium on Saturday.

Set to chase 174, Uganda, who are participating in the T20 World Cup for the first time, posed no threat to West Indies and bowled out for a meagre 39 in 12 overs.

Roger Mukasa bagged his third consecutive duck after Hosein got him out on the second ball of the innings.

Hosein dismissed Alpesh Ramjani and Riazat Ali Shah in consecutive overs to claim three wickets in his three overs.

He castled Dinesh Nakrani, followed by the wicket of Kenneth Waiswa in his last over to get his T20I career’s first five-wicket haul.

Uganda’s Juma Miyagi was the only batter to reach the double figures as he scored an unbeaten 13 off 20.

Alzarri Joseph bowled Frank Nsubuga to finish the match on the last ball of the 12th over.

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Hosein returned with figures of 5-11, while Joseph bagged two wickets.

Earlier, West Indies opted to bat and got off to a flying start courtesy of a 41-run opening stand between Brandon King (13) and Johnson Charles.

Alpesh Ramjani broke the partnership by dismissing King, however, Charles kept the scoreboard moving.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran smashed three sixes during his 17-ball 22 before Uganda skipper Brian Masaba sent him back.

Charles played a cautious innings, scoring 44 off 42 with the help of six boundaries, including two sixes.

Rovman Powell (23), and Sherfane Rutherford (22) made valuable contributions to push the team’s total to 140 in 17.3 overs.

Russell and Sherfane Rutherford (5) then made an unbeaten 33-run partnership to help West Indies score 173-5 in their allocated 20 overs. Russell scored a 17-ball 30, laced with six boundaries.

For Uganda, Masaba led the bowling with two wickets, while Ramjani, Cosmas Kyewuta and Dinesh Nakrani bagged one apiece.

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West Indies win toss, opt to bat against Uganda in T20 World Cup 2024

GUYANA: West Indies have won the toss and chose to bat first against Uganda in the 18th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Providence Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

Uganda: Roger Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi (wk), Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Alpesh Ramjani, Dinesh Nakrani, Juma Miyagi, Kenneth Waiswa, Brian Masaba (c), Cosmas Kyewuta, Frank Nsubuga

READ: Iga Swiatek crushes Jasmine Paolini to win third French Open title in row

Afghanistan thump Uganda to script triumphant start to T20 World Cup 2024

GUYANA: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s fiery half-centuries, followed by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s five-fer helped Afghanistan thump Uganda by 125 runs in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Providence Stadium on Monday.

Uganda, playing their first-ever T20 World Cup match, bowled out for a meagre 58 in 16 overs, while chasing 184.

Farooqi picked back-to-back wickets in the first over of the innings but missed the hat-trick as Riazat Ali Shah survived the yorker.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq also joined the fray, with the latter taking two wickets in the fifth over, reducing Uganda to 21-5 in the powerplay.

Riazat Ali Shah (11) and Robinson Obuya (14) then added 29 runs from 45 balls for the sixth wicket before Farooqi returned to the attack and broke the stand.

Farooqi once again missed the hat-trick after dismissing Brian Misaba on the next ball. However, he added another wicket to his tally in the next over, registering his first five-fer in T20Is.

Afghanistan’s captain wrapped up the innings as he claimed wickets on consecutive balls in the 16th over, earning a massive victory for his side.

Farooqi returned with figures of 5-7, while Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan registered 2-4 and 2-12 respectively.

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Earlier, the Afghan openers gave their side a flying start after they were invited to bat first by Uganda, scoring 66 runs in the powerplay.

Gurbaz took Uganda bowlers head-on from the word go and completed his half-century in 28 balls, while Zadran took 34 balls to reach the milestone.

They raised 154 runs for the first wicket before Uganda skipper Brian Masaba removed Zadran in the 15th over.

Zadran scored 70 runs from 46 balls with the help of ten boundaries, including one six.

Gurbaz also fell four balls later as he was caught by Riazat Ali Shah off Alpesh Ramjani after scoring a 45-ball 76, which featured four boundaries and as many sixes.

Uganda bowlers did not allow Afghanistan to make a comeback as they squeezed the run-flow. Afghanistan scored only 27 runs and lost three wickets in the last five overs without any boundary.

Mohammad Nabi remained the only notable scorer after openers with an unbeaten 14 off 16, dragging the team’s total to 183-5 in 20 overs.

For Uganda, Misaba and Cosmas Kyewuta bagged two wickets each.

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T20 World Cup 2024: Uganda win toss, elect to field first against Afghanistan

GUYANA: Uganda won the toss and elected to field first against Afghanistan in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Providence Stadium on Monday.

PLAYING XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

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Uganda: Simon Ssesazi (wk), Roger Mukasa, Ronak Patel, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Robinson Obuya, Brian Masaba, Bilal Hassan, Cosmas Kweyuta, Henry Ssenyondo

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Uganda announce squad for maiden T20 World Cup campaign

Uganda have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be co-hosted in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

The African country has booked their place in the competition for the first time and will be among 20 teams at the tournament, starting from June 1.

Brian Masaba will lead Uganda in their first-ever T20 World Cup campaign, kicking off on June 3 against Afghanistan in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Pakistan-born all-rounder Riazat Ali Shah will serve as the vice-captain.

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The squad also features 43-year-old all-rounder, Frank Nsubuga, who will be the oldest player in the T20 World Cup 2024.

He first represented Uganda in ICC events as a 17-year-old in the 1997 ICC Trophy, a pathway event on the road to Cricket World Cup 1999.

Uganda are placed in Group C alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea.

Uganda squad for T20 World Cup

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

READ: Babar Azam responds to criticism over Hasan Ali’s selection

Former Indian batter named as Uganda’s head coach ahead of T20 World Cup

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) on Tuesday named former Indian first-class cricketer Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the men’s national team in the run-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

The Cricket Cranes have booked their place in the competition for the first time and will be among 20 teams at the tournament being jointly hosted by the United States and the West Indies from June 1.

The UCA announced Sharma’s appointment on a three-year working contract in a statement on its website, saying he brought a “wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Cricket Cranes into their next chapter of success”.

Coach Alert 🏏@CricketUganda unveils Abhay Sharma, an experienced Indian coach, as new gaffer on a 3-year deal.

With a distinctive background in first-class cricket & extensive coaching in the Indian set-up, Sharma is tasked to take Uganda to new heights.#WeAreCricketCranes pic.twitter.com/f7apJCu1D9

— Cricket Uganda (@CricketUganda) April 23, 2024

“Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Abhay Sharma as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team – The Cricket Cranes after both parties agreed to a three-year working contract,” the statement read.

“With a distinguished career and vast coaching experience, Sharma brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Cricket Cranes into their next chapter of success.”

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Sharma has previous coaching stints with India A and India Under-19s, as well as the Indian women’s cricket team and the Delhi Ranji Trophy team, the UCA said.

“I am here to contribute to the team’s aspirations, which include defeating the top sides in the world in the upcoming World Cup,” the 54-year-old Sharma said in the statement.

“While Uganda Cricket has performed well in the last 12 months, there are areas, particularly fielding, where we need to improve.”

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Pakistan-born Uganda player expresses wish to play against Babar Azam, Virat Kohli

Pakistan-born Riazat Ali Shah from Uganda national cricket team has expressed his desire to play against Babar Azam and Virat Kohli in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Uganda have recently booked their tickets for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA after a top-two finish in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier.

Uganda’s allrounder Riazat Ali Shah, who hails from Gilgit, while talking to ARY News opened up about his wish to play against Azam and Kohli.

“It is an honour for me to play in the T20 World Cup for Uganda,” said Riazat Ali Shah.

“I wish that my team [Uganda] gets placed in the same group as India and Pakistan in T20 World Cup,” he added.

“I want to play against Babar Azam and Virat Kohli,” he concluded.

Upon being asked, Riazat Ali Shah shared which players are his ideals in batting and bowling.

“I like Wasim Akram in bowling and Kevin Pietersen in batting.”

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Notably, this will be the first-ever appearance of Uganda in an ICC World Cup event as they will become only the fifth African nation to feature in the T20 World Cup.

During the T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifiers, Uganda overcame Tanzania in their opening game by a comfortable margin of eight wickets.

However, in the next game, a brilliant 4/17 from Namibian all-rounder David Wiese handed them a six-wicket defeat.

The African side made a comeback in grand style in the next game, defeating the Test-playing Zimbabwe by five wickets.

While skipper Sikandar Raza’s 48* starred for his side, Uganda’s bowling effort led by Dinesh Nakrani (3/14), restricted the Chevrons to 136/7.

During the chase, the Cricket Cranes were guided by Riazat Ali Shah (42) and Alpesh Ramjani (40). They won with five wickets to spare in a major cricketing upset.

Lifted by this effort, the side then overcame Nigeria with ease. They followed up with a 33-run win over Kenya, to have one foot into the T20 World Cup.

They ensured the same with a comfortable nine-wicket win over Rwanda. They rendered a top-notch bowling effort, which bowled out Rwanda for merely 65.

The target was then chased down by the ninth over mark.

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