Uganda national cricket team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uganda women's 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

Uganda Cricket Association logo
Nickname(s)	Cricket Cranes
Association	Uganda Cricket Association
Personnel
Captain	Brian Masaba
Coach	Abhay Sharma
International Cricket Council
ICC status	Associate member (1998; 26 years ago (1998))
ICC region	Africa
ICC Rankings Current^[1] Best-ever T20I 23rd 22nd (26 Nov 2023)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20I	v.  Botswana at Lugogo Stadium, Kampala; 20 May 2019
Last T20I	v.  Kenya at Achimota Oval A, Accra; 23 March 2024
T20Is Played Won/Lost Total^[2] 91 69/19 (0 ties, 3 no results) This year^[3] 4 3/1 (0 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances	6^[a] (first in 2012)
Best result	Runners-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

Main article: East Africa cricket 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

Main article: 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

Main article: Uganda Cricket Association

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

Stadium							City			Test matches	ODI matches	T20I matches
Lugogo Stadium							Kampala			0	0	5
Kyambogo Cricket Oval							Kampala			0	0	5

 

 

Kyambogo

 

Lugogo

class=notpageimage|

Locations of all stadiums which have hosted an international cricket match within Uganda

Tournament history

World Cup

• 1975 to 1987: See East African cricket team
• 1992 to 1999: See East and Central African cricket team
• 2003 to 2023: Did not qualify

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
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2007	did not qualify
2009
2010
2012
2014
2016
2021
2022
2024	Qualified

ICC Intercontinental Cup

• 2004: First round^[23]
• 2005: First round^[26]
• 2006: Did not participate^[46]
• 2007–08: Did not participate

World Cricket League

• 2007 Division Three: Champions – promoted
• 2007 Division Two: 5th place^[47] – relegated
• 2007 Division Three: 2nd place^[48] – promoted
• 2011 Division Two: 5th place – relegated
• 2013 Division Three: 2nd place – qualify for WCQ
• 2014 Division Three: 2nd place – promoted
• 2015 Division Two: 5th place – relegated
• 2017 Division Three: 5th place – relegated
• 2018 Division Four: Champions^[49] – promoted
• 2018 Division Three: 6th place – relegated

ICC World Cup Qualifier

• 1979 to 1986: See East African cricket team
• 1990 to 1997: See East and Central African cricket team
• 2001: 10th place^[21]
• 2005: 12th place^[25]
• 2009: 10th place^[50]
• 2014: 10th place^[51]
• 2018: Did not qualify
• 2023: Did not qualify

ACA Africa T20 Cup

• 2022: Champions
• 2023: Champions

East Africa T20 Cup

• 2022: Champions
• 2023: Champions

Continent Cup T20 Africa

• 2023: Champions

Records and statistics

International Match Summary — Uganda^[52]

Last updated 23 March 2024

Playing Record
Format	M	W	L	T	NR	Inaugural Match
Twenty20 Internationals	91	69	19	0	3	20 May 2019

Twenty20 International

• Highest team total: 206/6 v Kenya, 23 March 2024 at Achimota Oval A, Accra^[53]
• Highest individual score: 100*, Simon Ssesazi v Tanzania, 22 December 2022 at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali^[54]
• Best individual bowling figures: 6/7, Dinesh Nakrani v Lesotho, 19 October 2021 at IPRC Cricket Ground, Kigali^[55]

Most T20I runs for Uganda^[56] Player Runs Average Career span Simon Ssesazi 2,072 31.39 2021–2024 Riazat Ali Shah 1,212 34.62 2019–2023 Roger Mukasa 1186 24.70 2019–2024 Dinesh Nakrani 881 30.37 2019–2024 Ronak Patel 799 27.55 2020–2023

Most T20I wickets for Uganda^[57] Player Wickets Average Career span Henry Ssenyondo 94 14.58 2019–2024 Alpesh Ramjani 70 8.88 2022–2024 Dinesh Nakrani 67 15.52 2019–2024 Bilal Hassan 65 13.37 2021–2024 Frank Nsubuga 55 16.03 2019–2023

T20I record versus other nations^[52]

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

Opponent	M	W	L	T	NR	First match	First win
vs Full Members
Zimbabwe	1	1	0	0	0	26 November 2023	26 November 2023
vs Associate Members
Botswana	6	6	0	0	0	20 May 2019	20 May 2019
Eswatini	1	1	0	0	0	19 October 2021	19 October 2021
Ghana	4	4	0	0	0	23 May 2019	23 May 2019
Hong Kong	2	2	0	0	0	11 July 2022	11 July 2022
Jersey	1	1	0	0	0	15 July 2022	15 July 2022
Kenya	16	11	4	0	1	22 May 2019	15 September 2021
Lesotho	1	1	0	0	0	19 October 2021	19 October 2021
Malawi	2	2	0	0	0	16 October 2021	16 October 2021
Mozambique	2	2	0	0	0	18 September 2022	18 September 2022
Namibia	9	1	8	0	0	21 May 2019	9 April 2022
Netherlands	1	0	1	0	0	14 July 2022
Nigeria	6	6	0	0	0	11 September 2021	11 September 2021
Papua New Guinea	1	0	1	0	0	12 July 2022
Qatar	3	1	2	0	0	12 February 2020	15 February 2020
Rwanda	18	17	1	0	0	17 October 2021	17 October 2021
Seychelles	1	1	0	0	0	22 October 2021	22 October 2021
Tanzania	16	12	2	0	2	18 November 2021	18 November 2021

Players

Main article: List of Ugandan first-class cricketers

Main article: List of Uganda Twenty20 International cricketers

Main page: Category:Ugandan cricketers

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.

Name	Age	Batting style	Bowling style	Formats	Notes
Batters
Simon Ssesazi	27	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day & T20I
Ronak Patel	35	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day & T20I
Arnold Otwani	28	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day
Pascal Murungi	19	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day & T20I
Ronald Lutaaya	21	Left-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day & T20I
Roger Mukasa	34	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	T20I
Robinson Obuya	23	Right-handed		One-day
All-rounders
Kenneth Waiswa	25	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day & T20I	Vice-captain
Riazat Ali Shah	26	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day & T20I
Brian Masaba	32	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break	One-day & T20I	Captain
Alpesh Ramjani	29	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day & T20I
Wicketkeepers
Fred Achelam	23	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day
Cyrus Kakuru	20	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day & T20I
Spin Bowlers
Henry Ssenyondo	30	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	One-day & T20I
Frank Nsubuga	43	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	One-day & T20I
Joseph Baguma	19	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	One-day
Siraje Nsubuga	23	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	T20I
Pace Bowlers
Dinesh Nakrani	32	Left-handed	Left-arm medium	One-day
Juma Miyaji	21	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	One-day
Bilal Hassan	34	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast	One-day & T20I
Pius Oloka	20	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast	One-day
David Wabwire	25	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast	T20I
Jonathan Ssebanja	35	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	T20I
Charles Waiswa	26	Left-handed	Left-arm medium	One-day

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Team manager
Head coach	Abhay Sharma
Batting coach
Bowling coach
Fielding coach
Physiotherapist
Strength and conditioning coach
Analyst

Captains

Name	Began	Ended
John Wild	1952	1957
Dr. Ian McAdam	1955	1955
William Handley	1956	1956
Allan Boucher	1957	1957
Ed Wilson	1958	1958
Premji Patel	1958	1959
Shashikant Patel	1959	1959
John Sequeira	1959	1960
Ron Meredew	1960	1961
Mangaldas Kotecha	1961	1962
Peter de Souza	1962	1966
Maqsood Malik	1966	1968
Kishore Vasani	1968	1969
Salaudin Khan	1969	1970
Charlie de Souza	1970	1971
Mushtaq Ramji	1971	1971

Coaches

Name	Nationality	Appointed	Ended	Tournament(s)
William Kamanyi	Uganda	1998	April 2001^[58]	—
Andrew Meya	Uganda	April 2001^[58]	December 2003	2001 ICC Trophy
Tom Tikolo	Kenya	December 2003^[59]	August 2004^[60]	—
Henry Okecho	Uganda	September 2004	March 2007^[61]	2005 ICC Trophy
Sam Walusimbi	Uganda	April 2007^[62]	November 2007	2007 WCL Div. 3
Francis Otieno	Kenya	November 2007^[63]	July 2008	2007 WCL Div. 2
Barney Mohamed	South Africa	July 2008^[64]	October 2010	2009 World Cup Qualifier
Shukri Conrad	South Africa	October 2010^[65]	January 2011	—
Martin Suji	Kenya	February 2011^[66]	May 2013	2011 WCL Div. 2 2012 WT20 Qualifier 2013 WCL Div. 3
Henry Okecho (acting)	Uganda	May 2013^[67]	July 2013	—
Johan Rudolph	South Africa	July 2013^[68]	February 2014	2013 WT20 Qualifier 2014 World Cup Qualifier
Davis Turinawe	Uganda	April 2014^[69]	August 2014	—
Steve Tikolo	Kenya	May 2016^[70]		2014 WCL Div. 3 2015 WCL Div. 2

See also

• Uganda women's national cricket team
• List of Uganda Twenty20 International cricketers

Notes

1. T20 World Cup Qualifier refers to the Regional Final of the ICC Africa region from the 2023 edition.

References

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