The Unlikely Journey to the World Cup
The Uganda cricket team, led by their determined captain, has made history by qualifying for their first World Cup. Despite this significant achievement, the captain, Masaba, also works part-time as a procurement manager, buying office supplies for his company.
“When I needed to ask my boss for time off, he was more than happy to give me it,” Masaba tells BBC Sport. “He is a huge, huge cricket fan. He will be on the first plane to the Caribbean himself.”
Finding Support in a Football-Dominated Nation
Finding a cricket-mad boss is not easy in a country where football rules. Uganda, with a population of 44 million, has only 20 cricket clubs. To put that into perspective, Ireland has six times that number, and Yorkshire has 800.
Masaba’s preparation for the World Cup contrasts sharply with his peers. While Rashid Khan of Afghanistan trains amid the glamour of the Indian Premier League, Masaba juggles office work with early morning nets and late-evening fielding sessions. “We find a way to make it work,” says Masaba, a Real Madrid fan and son of a footballer. “I have to find the time to work the weekends.”
The Road to Qualification
The Cricket Cranes qualified for this World Cup with a stunning victory over Zimbabwe in the African qualifiers last year – their first victory over a Test-playing nation. Three years earlier, they were ranked below Austria and Guernsey. Their then-coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, mapped out a route to the Caribbean and the United States. “The guys looked at him like he was crazy,” says Masaba, who has never attended a World Cup match as a spectator.
Uganda’s Squad: A Blend of Experience and Youth
Uganda will compete in a group with co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Papua New Guinea. They are not the lowest-ranked side in this expanded 20-team World Cup – they are 22nd in the world standings, a place above Canada. Their squad features 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga, an all-rounder who debuted in 1997. “Frank loves cricket,” Masaba says. “It is his life and why he has given 25 years to the game.”
Opener Simon Ssesazi, aged 27, is Uganda’s leading T20 run-scorer and refers to himself on social media as ‘The Tiger’. The team also boasts two young quicks, 22-year-old Cosmas Kyewuta and 21-year-old Juma Miyaji, capable of bowling over 80 mph. Spinner Alpesh Ramjani took the most T20 international wickets in 2023. Ramjani and other Asia-born cricketers have moved to Uganda for work and qualified through the International Cricket Council’s residency rules.
Challenges and Aspirations
“We can only be as good as the teams we play against,” says Masaba. “That game against Zimbabwe, the closest we get to play a Test nation, was the first time we have played them in 10 years. That paints a picture of how hard it is for a nation like Uganda to get quality opposition.”
Despite these challenges, Uganda’s cricketers are making the most of their opportunity. They have traveled to India and Sri Lanka to play and prepare. The squad has been lifting more weights, taking more catches, and spending more time in the nets. “We have had to adjust as players,” Masaba says. “It has given us a taste of what a professional cricketer’s life should be like.”
The Impact on Ugandan Cricket
Masaba hopes that the team’s performances will inspire the next generation of Ugandan cricketers. “I am hoping a couple of guys can put in performances and get picked up by the franchise leagues around the world. That would be huge for Ugandan cricket – it could inspire the next generation.”
In conclusion, Masaba’s leadership has brought Uganda to the global cricket stage, balancing his day job and his passion for cricket. His journey and the team’s achievements highlight the dedication and potential of Ugandan cricket. As they compete in their first World Cup, they carry the hopes of their nation and aim to inspire future generations.
