Uganda storms into WC qualifier

May 03, 2013

Ugandan cricketers are headed to the 2014 ICC World Cup Qualifier. To a future of tantalizing possibilities.

By Charles Mutebi

ICC World Cricket League Division 3

Uganda 175 USA 93

(Uganda win by 82 runs)

Saturday

Oman v Uganda (Somerset)

Bermuda v USA (Hamilton)

Italy v Nepal (St David’s)

Sunday

FINAL

Uganda vs ..........

 

Uganda are headed to the 2014 ICC World Cup Qualifier (WCQ). To a future of tantalising possibilities.

After two years in the cricket backwaters of the ICC World Cricket League Division 3, Davis Karashani and his troops secured qualification to Division 2  yesterday, even if they will have to defend it at next year’s WCQ in New Zealand.

Benjamin Musoke and Lawrence Sematimba (man-of-match) scored 44 runs each as Uganda thumped the USA by 82 runs at the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 at St David’s Cricket Ground in Bermuda to secure a top-two finish at the top-six team.

 Arthur Kyobe, Frank Nsubuga and Richard Okia contributed 26, 16 and 14 runs respectively as Uganda posted 175/10 in 49.5 overs against the same team that had thumped them by over 150 runs in a trial match four days earlier.

 But once again, Uganda’s bowling and fielding units made a potentially modest score look out of reach after bowling out USA for 93 with 10.5 overs to spare. Roger Mukasa, earlier dismissed for a duck, underlined his burgeoning all-rounder’s status with a team-best 3/29. Skipper Davis Karashani, Henry Senyondo and Charles Waiswa both claimed two wickets apiece as Uganda stretched their perfect run to four games while simultaneously ending USA’s.

The top two teams in Bermuda qualify for the 2014 WCQ, which according to the ICC “essentially doubles as the WCL Division 2 and is the same structure that was implemented prior to the CWC Qualifier in 2009”.

 In other words, not only will Uganda get the chance to qualify for the 2015 World Cup at next year’s WCQ, they will also have the opportunity to defend their place in Division 2 or better still, snatch ODI status.

Of course, there is also the threat of relegation back to Division 3 should Uganda finish in the bottom two places at the WCQ. But for now, it is all about celebration for Uganda, following a job well done in Bermuda. Uganda still have to play Oman today and tomorrow’s final, but the hard part is over. 

 

STANDINGS WITH ONE GROUP GAME REMAINING

Team       P W L T NR Points N/RR

 Uganda      4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.508

 USA             4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.690

 Nepal       4 2 2 0 0 4 -0.014

 Bermuda    4 2 2 0 0 4 -0.959

 Oman       4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.152

 Italy       4 0 4 0 0 0 -1.239

 

 

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