Uganda qualify for maiden Men's T20 World Cup

Uganda secured second place in the Africa Region Qualifier, behind already qualified Namibia, with a nine-wicket win over Rwanda, with the result meaning Zimbabwe's 110-run win over Kenya was in vain

Uganda have made history after securing their place at the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, their first appearance at an ICC World Cup event.

They are the 20th and final team to secure their spot at next year's tournament, which will be hosted by West Indies and USA in June.

Uganda secured second place in the Africa Region Qualifier, behind already qualified Namibia, with a nine-wicket win over Rwanda, with the result meaning Zimbabwe's 110-run win over Kenya was in vain.

^{Namibia also came through the qualifying event and will playing at their third successive Men's T20 World Cup [Martin Keep/Getty Images]}

^{Zimbabwe will not feature at next year's tournament [Quinn Rooney/Getty Images]}

They bowled Rwanda out for just 65 in Windhoek, with Alpesh Ramjani, Dinesh Nakrani, Henry Ssenyondo and Brian Masaba picking up two wickets apiece, and required just 8.1 overs to complete their chase, Simon Ssesazi top-scoring with 26 not out (21).

Uganda began their qualification campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket win against Tanzania on November 22 before suffering a brief setback with a six-wicket defeat against Namibia.

However, it would prove to be their only defeat of the tournament, with a tight five-wicket win over Zimbabwe followed by routine victories over Nigeria (nine wickets) and Kenya (33 runs).

The 2024 tournament has been expanded from the 16 teams that competed in 2022, with the teams split into four groups of five. The top two teams in each group will then advance to the Super 8s (two groups of four), with the top two in both groups making the semi-finals.

Match Day - #ICCT20WCQ

Game 6 - Result
Rwanda 🇷🇼 65/10
Uganda 🇺🇬 66/1
Uganda won by 9 wickets
(with 71 balls to spare)
MOM; Alpesh Ramjani

We're going for the 'BIG DANCE' to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies & USA🇺🇸.#CricketCranesInColour#Twaake @PlasconUganda pic.twitter.com/or96A4h0YB

— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) November 30, 2023