Uganda has qualified for the men’s T20 World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.
The 23rd-ranked side smashed Rwanda on Thursday to guarantee they would advance along with Namibia out of the African qualifiers.
But that in turn meant Zimbabwe, who beat eventual finalist Pakistan at the 2022 tournament, has missed out altogether and will not appear in the 20-team field.
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“It is pretty surreal,” Uganda captain Brian Masaba said.
“I can’t put words to the emotions we are feeling now as a team. It’s massive for Ugandan cricket and huge for African cricket, especially, for a country like Uganda to make it to the World Cup.”
Uganda’s upset win over Zimbabwe last weekend by five wickets came in their first T20 international against a full ICC member.
Cam Green caught out on 96! | 00:18
Having already beaten Tanzania to begin the tournament they went on to beat Nigeria and Kenya before sealing qualification by chasing down a target of 66 in just 8.1 overs against Rwanda.
Zimbabwe was the top-ranked side in the qualifier, 11th, and has competed in six of the previous eight T20 World Cups.
The 2024 tournament will be held in the United States and the West Indies.
The 20 qualifiers will be split into four groups of five with the top two in each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. They will there be divided into two groups of four, with the top two advancing into the knockouts, before the final on June 30.
T20 WORLD CUP 2024 QUALIFYING TEAMS
Hosts: United States, West Indies
Top 8 from 2022 T20 World Cup: Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka
Next two highest-ranked nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh
Europe Qualifier: Ireland, Scotland
East Asia/Pacific Qualifier: Papua New Guinea
Americas Qualifier: Canada
Asia Qualifier: Nepal, Oman
Africa Qualifier: Namibia, Uganda
