Win Over Kenya Puts Uganda On Brink Of T20 World Cup Qualification
WINDHOEK, Namibia- Uganda holds their nerve against Kenya and takes a step closer to ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Simon Ssesazi smashes an excellent 60 while Dinesh Nakrani’s late cameo takes Cranes to 162
Tanzania picks up their first victory of the tournament while Zimbabwe bags third win against Nigeria
Uganda is on the brink of qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after defeating Kenya in a crunch clash at Wanderers Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Uganda won the toss and elected to put runs on the board, to heap the pressure on their Eastern Africa rivals. Simon Ssesazi was the key man for Uganda, notching a priceless 60 at the top of the order.
He smacked two sixes and five boundaries in the process, to keep the innings together. Riazat Ali Shah’s 26 helped the total along, while Dinesh Nakrani hammered 40 not out from 23 balls, to propel his side to 162 for five.
Rakep Patel (26) and Collins Obuya (34) gave Kenya early hope, but Riazat Ali Shah’s two wickets in two balls kept Uganda ahead of the game before rain threatened to end proceedings. There were no overs lost after the teams went back on and were quickly off again. Sachin Bhudia’s 27 gave Kenya one last flicker of hope, but wickets never stopped falling. Bilal Hassun returned to clean up the tail after he was expensive in his opening two overs, He finished with four for 39 from his four overs
Kenya was finally bowled out for 129, giving Uganda a 33-run triumph that leaves their destiny very much in their hands. Victory over Rwanda tomorrow will confirm their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 to be co-hosted by the West Indies and USA.
In the morning fixture at United, Nigeria won the toss and batted first against Zimbabwe, but their top-order all struggled to stamp their authority on the innings. Richard Ngarava again claimed two wickets, as did Sikandar Raza.
Nigeria eventually settled for 110 for eight in their 20 overs, leaving Zimbabwe a target of 111 to keep their faint hopes alive.
Sikandar Raza then smashed seven sixes on his way to a 37-ball 65, which effectively settled the match. Joshua Asia took two wickets, but the damage had been done by Raza and Zimbabwe cruised to a six-wicket victory.
In Wednesday’s other fixture, Rwanda bowled first against Tanzania and had them on the ropes at 40 for six. But they hadn’t reckoned with Salum Jumbe’s incredible 76 not out from only 46 balls. There were four sixes and six boundaries, as he lifted his side to 153 for eight.
The body blow inflicted by Jumbe’s batting seemed to affect Rwanda’s chase, as they limped 26 for four inside five overs. Only Martin Akayezu (37 off 33 balls) made any impression, as Rwanda labored to just 102 for seven. That saw Tanzania secure a comfortable 51-run victory.
Scores in brief:
Kenya v Uganda
Uganda won the toss and elected to bat.
Uganda 162 for five in 20 overs (S Ssesazi 60, D Nakrani 40 not out, R Shah 26)
Kenya 129 all out in 19.1 overs (C Obuya 34, S Bhudia 27, R Patel 26, B Hassun four 39)
Uganda won by 33 runs
Nigeria v Zimbabwe
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat.
Nigeria 110 for eight in 20 overs (R Abdulkareem 24, S Raza two for 13, R Ngarava two for 21)
Zimbabwe 111 for four in 14 overs (S Raza 65, S Williams 19, J Asia two for 18)
Zimbabwe won by six wickets, with 36 balls to spare
Rwanda v Tanzania
Rwanda won the toss and elected to bowl.
Tanzania 153 for eight in 20 overs (S Ally 76 not out, A Patwa 24, C Rubagumya two for 21)
Rwanda 102 for seven in 20 overs (M Akayezu 37, K Irakoze 22, M Sefu two for 9, S Thakor two for 15, two for 17)
Tanzania won by 51 runs
Points Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | NRR |
| Namibia | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2,643 |
| Uganda | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0,759 |
| Zimbabwe | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2,322 |
| Kenya | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0,040 |
| Nigeria | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -0,670 |
| Tanzania | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1,507 |
| Rwanda | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -4,000 |
