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Uganda's cricket team is set to make history with their first appearance at the T20 World Cup, a feat achieved despite limited facilities and looming relocation from their home ground. The Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is not the ideal training ground for fast bowlers, with its concrete slab and barren patches posing injury risks. Yet, it remains a hub of passion and perseverance, as players queue up under the sun, eager to play.
Captain Brian Masaba describes the team's qualification as "nothing short of a miracle." After defeating Test nation Zimbabwe at last year's Africa Qualifier in Namibia, Uganda now faces formidable opponents like New Zealand and West Indies in the Caribbean.
This achievement is the result of a long-term plan initiated by former head coach Lawrence Mahatlane, who led the team from 2020 to 2023. His strategy, which included player contracts and frequent matches, has paid off. Uganda has played more T20 internationals than any other team since 2021, with notable success against Rwanda and Tanzania.
The squad boasts a mix of dynamic players, including 43-year-old off-spinner Frank Nsubuga, set to be the oldest player at this year's tournament. Vice-captain Riazat Ali Shah, a Pakistan-born all-rounder, highlights the team's unity, with players bridging cultural divides and embracing local languages.
Despite cricket's rising profile, challenges remain. The government plans to transform Lugogo into a new sports complex, necessitating relocation for the cricket team. However, their World Cup qualification has prompted government support, ensuring a new venue will be found.
Support has also come from abroad. Brian Freedman of Bankstown District Cricket Club in Sydney has been sending equipment to Uganda since 2005, after witnessing the team's struggles during the Under-19s World Cup. Donations from Cricket New South Wales and Big Bash League teams have been crucial, equipping the current generation of players.
As Uganda prepares for the World Cup, they carry the hopes of supporters at home and in Sydney, where their journey has been closely followed. The story of Uganda's cricket team is one of resilience, community support, and the dream of competing on the world stage.
