Uganda celebrated a historic milestone today with their inaugural victory at the T20 World Cup, overcoming a few hiccups in their run chase to clinch a memorable three-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in Guyana.
The veteran spinner, Frank Nsubuga, etched his name in the annals of cricket history at the age of 43, delivering a stellar performance with figures of 2/4. His remarkable feat of conceding only four runs, the fewest ever by a bowler in the Men’s T20 World Cup who has bowled the full allotment of four overs, surpassed previous records.
Nsubuga was ably supported by his teammates, with Alphesh Ramjani, Cosmas Kyewuta, and Juma Miyaga also contributing with pairs of wickets each, as Papua New Guinea was bundled out for a mere 77 runs.
Facing a daunting start at 6/3 in their chase, Uganda showcased resilience, led by the composed innings of Riazat Ali Shah, who scored 33 runs to guide his team to victory with 10 deliveries to spare.
Reflecting on the monumental achievement, Captain Brian Masaaba expressed his pride, stating, “To secure a win for our country at a World Cup is truly special. It has been an incredible journey, with three to four years of relentless hard work by both the players and the board back home. While reaching the World Cup was a significant milestone, this victory surpasses all expectations.”
Uganda’s triumph marks a watershed moment in their cricketing history, underscoring the dedication and perseverance of the team and signaling their readiness to compete at the highest level of the sport.
