04-06-2024, 09:37
Uganda made their World Cup debut in Guyana overnight - the first time Ugandan cricketers have appeared in a major event since East Africa played in the inaugural World Cup in 1975 - but it was inevitably more about enjoying the occasion while keeping pride and honour intact than mounting a serious challenge to a rampant Afghanistan, whose openers racked up 154 before Ugandan skipper Brian Masaba took his country's maiden World Cup wicket (and finished with creditable figures of 2-21 and a 5.25 economy rate). Chasing 184, the Africans were 18-5 in the powerplay, and had a sixth-wicket stand between Riazat Ali Shah and Robinson Obuya (who struck Uganda's first six) to thank for pushing them safely beyond the two lowest World Cup scores to date, eventually finishing on a fourth-lowest 58 all out. Left-arm pacer Fazal Haque Farooqi claimed 5-9 at a 2.25 economy rate, the fourth-best World Cup bowling figures of all time and best-ever for Afghanistan.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley