Sports / Fri, 31 May 2024 Cricbuzz

Nothing to lose, glory to gain for underdogs PNG and Uganda

World Cup RecordNone. The Cranes beating Zimbabwe to the World Cup was an upset, but it was no fluke. They'd have a much longer wait than those three for their first turn on the World Stage though, which came only three years ago at the 2021 T20 World Cup. The scrapping of the Global Qualifier thus means PNG had a fairly straightforward path to the World Cup, and they looked thoroughly untroubled strolling down it. While PNG may still be outclassed by the big three sides in the group, they will not be overawed.

ICC MEN'S T20 WORLD CUP 2024

by Bertus de Jong • Published on

Uganda have qualified for their first-ever world cup © Getty

The second group to be hosted entirely in the Caribbean, Group C sees perennial East Asia Pacific Champions Papua New Guinea and Africa runners-up and World Cup debutants Uganda drawn against co-hosts West Indies along with New Zealand and Afghanistan. Two of the less-fancied Associates in the field, both sides will nonetheless be eyeing up a first World Cup win at the tournament, though escape from the group phase looks to be a big ask for either.

Uganda

Upstart qualifiers Uganda have already made their headlines ahead of the tournament, a historic qualification at the expense of Full Member Zimbabwe turning heads across the world, though it was a result keen pathway event-watchers had tipped. With no less than 32 T20Is under their belts in the lead in to the Africa Regional Finals, of which they had won all but three, Uganda's recent run is above all a testament to what just playing lots of games together can do for a side.

Their consistency close to home is not matched further afield however. They lost 1-2 to Qatar at Doha in the solitary T20I series that they've played outside Africa since the advent of universal status, and their prior record in white-ball cricket out of region is uninspiring. How well they'll deal with unfamiliar conditions is a thus significant question, though Caribbean decks may not differ unduly from the sluggish seven-an-over sort found in Entebbe, Kigali or Nairobi.

The batting line-up has looked a shade top-heavy of late, a rejuvenated Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi at the top together with the promising young Robinson Obuya have provided the bulk of recent runs, though all-rounders Dinesh Nakrani and Riazat Ali Shah down the order have proved capable and at times crucial counter-attackers with the bat. Young new ball combo Cosmas Kyewuta and Juma Miyaji, though doubtless the most promising pace pairing Uganda have produced in years, are still raw even at the Associate level and the Cranes will look to the more seasoned left-arm spinners Henry Ssenyondo and the evergreen Frank Nsubuga for control through the middle, while their fellow slow southpaw Alpesh Ramjani - 2023's most prolific wicket-taker - may just prove the breakout star of the group.

How they got here

Coming into the Africa Qualifier off the proverbial long run-up, on a streak of nine consecutive wins, the Cranes stumbled in their second match coming up against hosts Namibia and David Wiese in particular, but bounced back in their next crucial encounter with Zimbabwe. A first-ever full international against a Full Member, the Cranes held the Chevrons to 137-7 before chasing with 5 wickets and 5 balls to spare. From there it was a question of holding their nerve against the rest of the field, most notably old rivals Kenya, to close out the second place spot.

World Cup Record

None. First time on the main stage for Uganda's Cricket Cranes. The closest they'd previously come was a fifth-place finish at Global Qualifier B last cycle, with a smattering of appearances at global qualifiers of both the 20 and 50-over variety before that, stretching back to the ICC Trophy days late last century when they made up part of amalgamated East and Central Africa sides. Only three Ugandans have ever appeared at a Cricket World Cup in fact, Henry Osinde represented his adopted Canada in 2007 and 2011, and before that Samuel Walusimbi and John Nagenda who were selected in the East Africa side that took part in the very first World Cup in 1975.

Realistic Ambitions

A first Global tournament for the Cranes is already a historic achievement, taking home a win on the biggest stage would be a triumph. They'll be lining up the Barramundis for sure. Could they do more? That's a huge long shot. If they can get runs on the board against Afghanistan somehow they might put pressure on what's on current form probably the weakest Full Member batting card, but fair to say Uganda besting a Full Member again would be the upset of the tournament.

Why tune in?

To see why they're here. The Cranes beating Zimbabwe to the World Cup was an upset, but it was no fluke. This is likely also your last (and perhaps first) chance to see Frank Nsubuga, a true legend of African cricket who made his international debut for East and Central Africa back when Jimmy Anderson was still a schoolboy, his career predating not only the tournament and the format itself by a decade, but even his own team.

Uganda Squad:Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. | Coach: Abhay Sharma

PNG

The sole representative from the ICC's East Asia Pacific development region the Barramunis of Papua New Guinea have regularly competed at or around the Associate top-flight for decades, making their ICC Trophy debut at the 1982 edition where they finished fourth behind Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Bermuda. They'd have a much longer wait than those three for their first turn on the World Stage though, which came only three years ago at the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Back again after missing out at the 2022 edition, the PNG side is a familiar one, still led by totemic skipper Assadollah Vala, alongside stalwarts such as Tony Ura, Charles Amini, Lega Siaka and Norman Vanua.

That core of the side represents a golden generation now beginning to age however, PNG struggling to find younger replacements despite a growing playing base. Reminiscent of the great Kenya team that sourced so many players from the same Parkroad estate in Nairobi, the heart of this team still hails from Hanuabada - the Port Moresby suburb that is home to much of the side.

The top four of Ura, Siaka, Vala and Amini have all been turning out for PNG for over a decade, and it's the batting stocks in particular that look short on young blood. On the bowling side, young left-arm quick Semo Kamea has been pushing for a regular spot in the seam attack alongside the big-hitting Norman Vanua, fellow lefty Kabua Morea or Alei Nao. Young left-arm spinner John Kariko is arguably the most promising newcomer however, as well as the only member of the side with any significant experience in the Caribbean, having played in the 2022 Under 19 World Cup in the West Indies.

How they got here

The Barramundis cruised through the EAP Finals as unbeaten as usual, and indeed despite advances made by such sides as Indonesia and especially Japan, it will likely be some years yet before their senior men's side will be seriously challenged in the region. The scrapping of the Global Qualifier thus means PNG had a fairly straightforward path to the World Cup, and they looked thoroughly untroubled strolling down it.

World Cup Record

After three consecutive creditable mid-table finishes at the 2012, 2013 and 2015 T20 Global Qualifier, PNG went on a remarkable run to the final at the 2019 edition, topping a group that included the Netherlands, Namibia and Scotland to secure a place at what was to be the 2020 T20 World Cup. A global pandemic intervened, and the Papua New Guinea side suffered more than most during the enforced lay-off. The Barramundis had been playing some of their finest ever cricket in 2019, but by the time they returned to the Gulf for what became the 2021 T20 World Cup they looked a different side, finishing bottom in their preliminary group and going home winless.

Realistic Ambitions

A first win at a World Cup must surely be the first goal, and weather permitting either the Barramundis or the Cranes will be going home with that much at least. Further honours are probably beyond this side, though unlike Uganda they have a fair amount of experience coming up against Full Member opposition. While PNG may still be outclassed by the big three sides in the group, they will not be overawed.

Why tune in?

Electric fielding, eclectic bowling, infectious enthusiasm for the game. Watch the village take on the world again. Oh, and their kit is fire.