Zimbabwe’s chances of qualifying for next year’s Men’s T20 World Cup have taken a massive blow after the African nation suffered a shock five-wicket loss to Uganda in Windhoek on Sunday.
Uganda, playing its first Men’s T20I against a full member nation, chased the 137-run target with five balls to spare at United Ground, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at fourth on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier standings.
Zimbabwe will now need other results to go their way for any chance of qualifying for next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States of America. The only Test-playing nation competing in the tournament, Zimbabwe also lost its opener against hosts Namibia, a result coach Dave Houghton called “embarrassingly bad”.
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Zimbabwe registered 7-136 after Uganda captain Brian Masaba won the toss and elected to bowl first. Captain Sikandar Raza top-scored with 48 (39), clearing the boundary rope four times, while Uganda seamer Dinesh Nakrani claimed 3-14 from his four overs.
Uganda, currently 23rd on the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, stumbled to 2-12 early in the run chase before Alpesh Ramjani clobbered 40 (26) and Ali Shah smacked 42 (28) to set up a thrilling finale. Needing 30 runs from the final three overs, Nakrani scored an unbeaten 14 (10) at the death to guide Uganda towards a historic victory.
It marks the second time a nation has defeated a full member on its first attempt, with Singapore toppling Zimbabwe back in 2019 courtesy of Tim David’s 41 (24).
Uganda is now third on the Africa Region Qualifier standings, having also defeated Tanzania earlier in the tournament; only the top two teams from the tournament will qualify for next year’s T20 World Cup.
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