Uganda won their first-ever match in the men's T20 World Cup 2024 in a historic moment on Thursday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Led by Riazat Ali Shah's patient 33, Uganda successfully chased down 78 in a low-scoring thriller, beating Papua New Guinea in the battle of associates in a Group C encounter.
Uganda recovered from a crushing 125-run loss to Afghanistan to bounce back and beat PNG for the first time in their T20 cricket history. Captain Brian Masaba was fittingly in the middle when the winning runs were hit.
Uganda huffed and puffed to the target as they lost 7 wickets and got past the finish line only in the 19th over. However, it did not matter as Uganda players were jubilant. Captain Masaba led the team on a victory parade at the Providence Stadium as hundreds of fans cheered for the African side, who qualified for the men's T20 World Cup for the first time.
Uganda players broke into a dance after the win as they did not hold back their emotions on the field.
"It is a pretty special win for us. Our first win at the World Cup, doesn't get more special than this. Super proud of the work they put in. To get a win for their country at a World Cup, it is pretty special. It has been quite a journey. Three to four years of very, very hard work, by the players and the board back home. Getting to the World Cup was special, but this is more special," captain Brian Masaba said.
Uganda won the toss and opted to field in Guyana on Thursday. In the very frist over of the match, PNG lost their captain Assad Vala for 0 to Alpesh Ramjani.
PNG were reeling at 19 for 3 in the powerplay as Cosmas Kyewula and Juma Miyagi joined the party, dismissing Tony Ura and Sese Bau, respectively.
Hiri was the only man who showed some resistance as he top-scored with 15 for PNG. in fact, only three batters (Hiri, Laga Siaka and Kilplin Doriga) went past the 10-run mark for PNG.
Left-arm orthodox bowler Frank Nsubuga scripted history as he bowled the most economical spell in the history of the men's T20 World Cup. The left-arm spinner picked up 2 wickets and conceded just 4 runs in his four-over spell.
Uganda's cahse got off to the worst possible start as they slipped to 6 for 3 after losing openers Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi and Robinson Obuya inside the first 3 overs.
However, Riazat Ali Shah took the onus upon himself to arrest the slide. Despite Riazat's resistance, Uganda slipped to 26 for 5.
However, Riazat and Juma MIyagi (13 off 16) added 35 runs for the sixth wicket which proved to be a match-winning partnership.
Uganda will next face co-hosts West Indies on Saturday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
