Uganda make history by qualifying for 2024 Men's T20 World Cup

The Ugandan cricket team has qualified for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for the first time in their history.

Namibia has played host to the Regional Final of the upcoming global showpiece this month, where seven African teams were vying for two places in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Uganda's first major result was upsetting Zimbabwe on Sunday, earning their first-ever win over a full ICC member side. Zimbabwean skipper Sikander Raza led from the front with 48 not out, but Dinesh Nakrani picked up 3 for 14 on the way to a historic victory.

Then, just a day after beating Kenya by 33 runs, the Africans faced Rwanda for a place in the tournament proper. Uganda opening bowler Alpesh Rasmjani finished with miserly figures of 2/1 off his three overs as Rwanda slumped to 65 all out.

Opening batter Simon Sseaszi began the victory march as Unganda lost just one wicket on their way to securing their place in next year's T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies.

"A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get us where we are today," Ugandan captain Brian Masaba told the BBC.

"It has been years of toil and hard work, four or five years of sacrifice. The fans joining in the celebrations was pretty special.

"I think the whole world realises there is a lot of potential outside the big nations. Hopefully this is something the government and sponsors can get behind."

They join Namibia from the Africa qualifier in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will feature 20 teams for the first time ever.

The final list of qualified teams for the event is as follows:

Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, United States of America (USA) and West Indies.

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