Uganda’s captain, Brian Masaba, said that they are playing for the hopes of their entire country. The team and their fans are very excited because this will be Uganda’s first World Cup match ever, whether in T20 or ODI when they play against Afghanistan in Providence on Monday.
Masaba stated: “Absolutely huge game for us, our first game at a World Cup, first ever for Uganda in our history, so we are very excited to get going, Obviously, there’s a bit of nerves but we’ve got to keep our focus on the game and try to get the result that we need because we need to kick off the tournament in the right way with good results.”
“There’s obviously a lot of excitement back home. It’s not just a first for us in cricket, but I believe we are the third team in any sporting discipline in the country to qualify for the World Cup. So it’s not a small feat. So it’s not just the cricket community that is supporting us, there’s a lot of the other guys in all the other sports, as well as the government back home.”
“So yeah, the whole country is super proud of what this team has achieved and they’re looking forward to seeing us going out there and representing the country with pride. It’s a huge responsibility for us, it’s not just about the cricket anymore, but we carry a whole country’s hopes on our backs.”
Uganda earned their World Cup place via the Africa Qualifier, where they defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets and finished second out of seven teams. Their sole defeat was to Namibia, another qualifying team. In the T20 World Cup, Uganda is placed in a group with West Indies, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Afghanistan.
The following qualification of last November became apparent that extensive cricketing preparations were necessary for World Cup endeavour, given the elevated standard of competition, Masaba acknowledged. As a team, it was imperative to ensure thorough readiness through appropriate practice regimens. This involved undertaking multiple tours to Sri Lanka and India, alongside engaging in numerous intra-squad matches.
“We are confident in our training and preparations for the upcoming tournament. While acknowledging the formidable challenge ahead, particularly within our tough group, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity. Confronting several of the world’s premier teams underscores the significance of our performance tomorrow and the quality of cricket we exhibit.”
Uganda Find Motivation in Papua New Guinea’s Strong Performance Against West Indies
Uganda draws inspiration from Papua New Guinea’s competitive showing against West Indies on Sunday, despite ultimately falling short in the match. Masaba noted that they closely monitored the game, recognizing their limited familiarity with the local conditions, and sought to extract insights from it.
He added that Papua New Guinea’s spirited performance is promising for Uganda, indicating that the gap between smaller and top-tier nations might not be as wide as perceived. He expressed belief that, given ample opportunities and exposure, smaller cricketing nations could challenge the elite sides.
Masaba emphasized satisfaction with the outcome of that match and expressed the intention to replicate that spirit in their performance the following day. Regarding emerging talent within the squad, he highlighted the promising fast-bowling duo of Juma Miyagi and Cosmas Kyewuta.
Masaba mentioned their significant contributions over recent years and the excitement surrounding their youth. He expressed hope that this platform would provide them with further opportunities going forward. Additionally, he mentioned seasoned performers like Riazat Ali Shah.
While describing him as a talented all-rounder who has delivered in crucial moments. Masaba emphasized the team’s dynamism and lack of over-reliance on any single player, noting that victories often result from collective efforts. He looked forward to a similar team effort in the upcoming tournament.
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