Uganda to battle in 2020 ICC World T20 eastern Africa region qualifier

Uganda's national cricket team on Thursday set off for neighbouring Rwanda where it will battle with other east African countries in the 2020 ICC World Twenty20 Africa Region Qualifier.

Uganda will face off against Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda in the tournament that will run on July 7 to 14, reports Xinhua news agency.

The top two teams will represent the eastern African region in the regional finals where the best two African teams will qualify for the 2020 ICC World Twenty20.

Roger Mukasa, captain of the Ugandan team, told Xinhua that they are determined to go all the way to qualify and represent Africa.

"Playing at the ICC World Twenty20 is also our dream as a team," Mukasa said.

Uganda qualified last month to feature in the more competitive ICC World Cricket League Division 3 after it won the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division 4 tournament held in Malaysia.

The Rwanda tournament will be played on a double round robin format (teams play each other twice) with the top two sides moving on the next round of qualifiers.

Qualifiers are on-going all over the world with three taking place in Africa. The first African sub-regional qualifier (north-western sub region) was held with hosts Nigeria and Ghana qualifying. The southern sub-region qualifiers will be held in Bostwana.

The top two teams in each group of the three qualifiers will advance to the regional finals tournament, which will determine the two African entrants to the 2020 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Squad: Roger Mukasa (Captain), Brian Masaba, Hamu Kayondo, Dinesh Nakrani, Deus Muhumuza, Riazat Shah, Irfan Afridi, Henry Ssenyondo, Frank Nsubuga, Kenneth Waiswa, Fred Achelam, Charles Waiswa, Bilal Hassun and Ronak Patel.

--IANS

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