Uganda national cricket team

The Uganda national cricket team, nicknamed the Cricket Cranes, is the men's team that represents Uganda in international cricket. The team is organised by the Uganda Cricket Association, which has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1998.[4]

Uganda
Refer to caption
Uganda Cricket Association logo
Nickname(s)Cricket Cranes
AssociationUganda Cricket Association
Personnel
CaptainBrian Masaba
CoachLawrence Mahatlane
International Cricket Council
ICC statusAssociate member (1998; 26 years ago (1998))
ICC regionAfrica
ICC RankingsCurrent[1]Best-ever
T20I23rd22nd (26 Nov 2023)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20Iv.  Botswana at Lugogo Stadium, Kampala; 20 May 2019
Last T20Iv.  Kenya at Achimota Oval A, Accra; 23 March 2024
T20IsPlayedWon/Lost
Total[2]9169/19
(0 ties, 3 no results)
This year[3]43/1
(0 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances6[a] (first in 2012)
Best resultRunners-up (2023)

T20I kit

As of 23 March 2024

Uganda first fielded an international team as early as 1914, against the East Africa Protectorate, but only began competing regularly in the early 1950s,[5] playing frequent series against regional rivals Kenya and Tanzania (then Tanganyika).[6] From 1966, Uganda contributed players to a combined East African team, which was reconstituted as East and Central Africa in 1989.

The country's first ICC tournament played in its own right was the 2001 ICC Trophy in Canada. Uganda played in the next three editions of the tournament, renamed the ICC World Cup Qualifier, but did not come close to qualifying for the Cricket World Cup. In the World Cricket League (WCL), Uganda reached ICC World Cricket League Division Two on three occasions, but was relegated to Division Three each time.

The team participated in six editions of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. They qualified for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, making it their first time in the ICC T20 WC after they finished 2nd in 2023 Africa Qualifier.[7]

History

East Africa team

Uganda combined with their regional rivals Kenya and Tanzania to form the East Africa team. The first known match for this team was against a South African "Non-Europeans" team captained by Basil D'Oliveira in September 1958 in Nairobi, with the visitors winning by seven wickets.[8] East Africa became an associate member of the ICC in 1966.[9]

East Africa toured England in 1972[10] and the Marylebone Cricket Club played a first-class match against East Africa in January 1974, winning by 237 runs.[11] The following year, East Africa played in the 1975 Cricket World Cup in England. After various warm-up games, including a 3 wicket win against Glamorgan,[12] they played New Zealand, India and England in the World Cup itself, losing all three matches.[13] The World Cup was followed by a first-class match against Sri Lanka at the County Ground, Taunton, which the Sri Lankans won by 115 runs.[14] East Africa played in the ICC Trophies of 1979,[15] 1982[16] and 1986,[17] without qualifying for the World Cup from any of them.

Uganda continued playing their regular matches against Kenya and Tanzania, despite Kenya leaving the East Africa combination in [when?][18] and the triangular tournament became a quadrangular tournament in 1966 when Zambia joined in. From then until the tournament's end in 1980, Uganda won the tournament just once.[6]

East and Central Africa cricket team

The East Africa team left the ICC in 1989[9] and was replaced by the East and Central Africa team the same year.[19] This new team was a combination of Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and they took part in the ICC Trophy for the first time in 1990, also taking part in 1994, 1997 and 2001.[20]

Setting out on their own

Uganda left the East and Central Africa combination and became an associate member of the ICC in their own right in 1998. Their first international tournament was the 2001 ICC Trophy. After winning all five of their first round games, they lost a play-off match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the right to enter the second stage of the tournament.[21] The following year, they finished third in their group in the Africa Cup.[22]

In 2004, Uganda played their first first-class matches in the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Kenya and Namibia, winning against Namibia.[23] In August that year, they finished second to Namibia in the Africa Cricket Association Championships in Zambia.[24] This qualified them for the following year's ICC Trophy, in which they finished in the twelfth and last place after losing to Papua New Guinea in their final play-off match.[25] Earlier in the year, they again played against Namibia and Kenya in the 2005 ICC Intercontinental Cup, losing both games.[26]

2007-2018

Joel Olwenyi, a captain of the Uganda Cricket team
Uganda celebrate winning Division Three of the World Cricket League in 2007

In January 2007, Uganda faced Bermuda[27] and Canada[28] as those two teams prepared for Division One of the World Cricket League in Nairobi.[29] This also served as preparation for Uganda's visit to Darwin, Australia, for Division Three of the same tournament. Uganda won their Group B games against the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, and Tanzania before beating Papua New Guinea in the semi-final[30] and Argentina in the tournament final.[31] Winning Division Three earned Uganda a spot in the ICC's High Performance Program,[32] and promotion to Division Two.

Uganda took part in a four-team Twenty20 tournament before the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, playing games against Pakistan, Kenya, and Bangladesh in Nairobi. As expected, they lost against Pakistan and Bangladesh before upsetting African rivals Kenya with a two-wicket win.[33]

Their next matches were two one-day games against Bermuda, also in Nairobi, in October 2007. They surprised their more experienced rivals, going down by just seven runs after Nandikishore Patel scored a half-century,[34] before winning the second match by 43 runs with Joel Olwenyi scoring a half-century of his own.[35]

In November 2007, Uganda travelled to Windhoek, Namibia to participate in the WCL Division Two tournament. Uganda lost their group matches against; Denmark, Namibia, Oman, and the UAE but did defeat Argentina in their group match and also their positional playoff to finish fifth.[36] Uganda's bottom two finish saw them relegated to Division Three.[37]

In January 2009, Uganda won four of their five group matches and edged Papua New Guinea on run rate, to finish second in the ICC Division 3 competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina and earn the final place at the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier.[38]

In April 2009, Uganda travelled to South Africa for the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier. Despite a first up win against Namibia, Uganda lost their remaining four Group A matches and failed to make the Super Eight stage, thus ending their chance to qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.[39] Uganda finished 10th overall after defeating Denmark but losing to Bermuda in position playoff matches, and thus was relegated to 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division Three.[40]

In August 2018, Uganda replaced Ghana in the 2018 Africa T20 Cup, after Ghana had declined Cricket South Africa's invite to compete in the tournament.[41] Uganda played in the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier Africa but got to the fourth position of the table.

2018–present

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 cricket matches played between Uganda and other ICC members since 1 January 2019 have been full T20I matches.[42]

20 May 2019
13:50
Scorecard
Uganda 
142/7 (20 overs)
v
 Botswana
90 (18 overs)
Arnold Otwani 44 (27)
Karabo Modise 3/18 (3 overs)
Vinoo Balakrishnan 26 (32)
Frank Nsubuga 2/19 (4 overs)
Uganda won by 52 runs
Lugogo Stadium, Kampala
Umpires: Emmanuel Byiringiro (Rwa) and David Odhiambo (Ken)
Player of the match: Arnold Otwani (Uga)
  • Botswana won the toss and elected to field.
  • First ever T20I match for Uganda.

After April 2019, Uganda played in the 2019–21 ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League.[43][44]

In 2021 and 2023, Uganda toured Namibia.

On 26 November 2023, Uganda registered their first win against an ICC Full Member by defeating Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier.[45]

26 November 2023
09:30
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 
136/7 (20 overs)
v
 Uganda
138/5 (19.1 overs)
Sikandar Raza 48 (39)
Dinesh Nakrani 3/14 (4 overs)
Riazat Ali Shah 42 (28)
Richard Ngarava 2/24 (4 overs)
Uganda won by 5 wickets
United Ground, Windhoek
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag (SA) and Stephen Harris (SA)
Player of the match: Riazat Ali Shah (Uga)
  • Uganda won the toss and elected to field.
  • This was Uganda's first win against a Full member side.[45]

Governing body

The Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) is responsible for all matches played in Uganda and by the Uganda cricket team. It was admitted to the International Cricket Council in 1998 as an associate member. Its current headquarters are in Kampala, Uganda.

International Grounds

StadiumCityTest matchesODI matchesT20I matches
Lugogo StadiumKampala005
Kyambogo Cricket OvalKampala005
Locations of all stadiums which have hosted an international cricket match within Uganda

Tournament history

World Cup

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

  • 2013: 13th place
  • 2015: Did not qualify
  • 2019: Did not qualify
  • 2022: 5th place
  • 2023: Runners-up(qualified)

ICC T20 World Cup

ICC T20 World Cup
YearRoundPositionGPWLTNR
2007did not qualify
2009
2010
2012
2014
2016
2021
2022
2024Qualified

ICC Intercontinental Cup

World Cricket League

ICC World Cup Qualifier

ACA Africa T20 Cup

East Africa T20 Cup

Continent Cup T20 Africa

Records and statistics

International Match Summary — Uganda[52]

Last updated 23 March 2024

Playing Record
FormatMWLTNRInaugural Match
Twenty20 Internationals9169190320 May 2019

Twenty20 International

Most T20I wickets for Uganda[57]

PlayerWicketsAverageCareer span
Henry Ssenyondo9414.582019–2024
Alpesh Ramjani708.882022–2024
Dinesh Nakrani6715.522019–2024
Bilal Hassan6513.372021–2024
Frank Nsubuga5516.032019–2023

T20I record versus other nations[52]

Records complete to T20I #2537. Last updated 23 March 2024.

OpponentMWLTNRFirst matchFirst win
vs Full Members
 Zimbabwe1100026 November 202326 November 2023
vs Associate Members
 Botswana6600020 May 201920 May 2019
 Eswatini1100019 October 202119 October 2021
 Ghana4400023 May 201923 May 2019
 Hong Kong2200011 July 202211 July 2022
 Jersey1100015 July 202215 July 2022
 Kenya161140122 May 201915 September 2021
 Lesotho1100019 October 202119 October 2021
 Malawi2200016 October 202116 October 2021
 Mozambique2200018 September 202218 September 2022
 Namibia9180021 May 20199 April 2022
 Netherlands1010014 July 2022
 Nigeria6600011 September 202111 September 2021
 Papua New Guinea1010012 July 2022
 Qatar3120012 February 202015 February 2020
 Rwanda181710017 October 202117 October 2021
 Seychelles1100022 October 202122 October 2021
 Tanzania161220218 November 202118 November 2021

Players

Personnel

Current squad

This lists all the players who were part of the most recent One-day or T20I squad. Uncapped players are listed in italics. Updated as of 31 August 2023.

NameAgeBatting styleBowling styleFormatsNotes
Batters
Simon Ssesazi27Right-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day & T20I
Ronak Patel35Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day & T20I
Arnold Otwani28Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day
Pascal Murungi19Right-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day & T20I
Ronald Lutaaya21Left-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day & T20I
Roger Mukasa34Right-handedRight-arm off breakT20I
Robinson Obuya23Right-handedOne-day
All-rounders
Kenneth Waiswa25Right-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day & T20IVice-captain
Riazat Ali Shah26Right-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day & T20I
Brian Masaba32Right-handedRight-arm leg breakOne-day & T20ICaptain
Alpesh Ramjani29Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day & T20I
Wicketkeepers
Fred Achelam23Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day
Cyrus Kakuru20Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day & T20I
Spin Bowlers
Henry Ssenyondo30Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxOne-day & T20I
Frank Nsubuga43Right-handedRight-arm off breakOne-day & T20I
Joseph Baguma19Right-handedRight-arm off breakOne-day
Siraje Nsubuga23Right-handedRight-arm off breakT20I
Pace Bowlers
Dinesh Nakrani32Left-handedLeft-arm mediumOne-day
Juma Miyaji21Right-handedRight-arm mediumOne-day
Bilal Hassan34Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastOne-day & T20I
Pius Oloka20Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastOne-day
David Wabwire25Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastT20I
Jonathan Ssebanja35Right-handedLeft-arm mediumT20I
Charles Waiswa26Left-handedLeft-arm mediumOne-day

Coaching and managing staff

NamePosition
Lawrence Mahatlane[58]Head coach
Jackson OgwangAssistant coach
Jackson KavumaManager
Agastya yadavBowling Coach
VacantBatting Coach

Captains

NameBeganEnded
John Wild19521957
Dr. Ian McAdam19551955
William Handley19561956
Allan Boucher19571957
Ed Wilson19581958
Premji Patel19581959
Shashikant Patel19591959
John Sequeira19591960
Ron Meredew19601961
Mangaldas Kotecha19611962
Peter de Souza19621966
Maqsood Malik19661968
Kishore Vasani19681969
Salaudin Khan19691970
Charlie de Souza19701971
Mushtaq Ramji19711971

Coaches

NameNationalityAppointedEndedTournament(s)
William Kamanyi  Uganda1998April 2001[59]
Andrew Meya  UgandaApril 2001[59]December 20032001 ICC Trophy
Tom Tikolo  KenyaDecember 2003[60]August 2004[61]
Henry Okecho  UgandaSeptember 2004March 2007[62]2005 ICC Trophy
Sam Walusimbi  UgandaApril 2007[63]November 20072007 WCL Div. 3
Francis Otieno  KenyaNovember 2007[64]July 20082007 WCL Div. 2
Barney Mohamed  South AfricaJuly 2008[65]October 20102009 World Cup Qualifier
Shukri Conrad  South AfricaOctober 2010[66]January 2011
Martin Suji  KenyaFebruary 2011[67]May 20132011 WCL Div. 2
2012 WT20 Qualifier
2013 WCL Div. 3
Henry Okecho (acting)  UgandaMay 2013[68]July 2013
Johan Rudolph  South AfricaJuly 2013[69]February 20142013 WT20 Qualifier
2014 World Cup Qualifier
Davis Turinawe  UgandaApril 2014[70]August 2014
Steve Tikolo  KenyaMay 2016[71]2014 WCL Div. 3
2015 WCL Div. 2

See also

Notes

References