Uganda’s Cricket Cranes move forward in World Cup race despite final defeat

Uganda’s hopes of reaching the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup remain alive after the team secured qualification to the next stage of the pathway, despite a disappointing loss in their final match in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In their last game of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, Uganda suffered a four-wicket defeat against Bahrain.

After losing the toss, Uganda batted first and were bowled out for 204 runs in 48.1 overs. Bahrain successfully chased the 205-run target, finishing on 209 for 6 with just two balls to spare.

Despite the setback, Uganda finished second in the standings with 22 points. Italy won the tournament with 26 points after defeating Tanzania, while Hong Kong-China finished third with 20 points and Bahrain finished with 13.

By finishing in the top two, both Italy and Uganda have earned spots in the upcoming Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off. This next eight-team tournament will feature the top teams from Challenge Leagues A and B, alongside the bottom four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2.

Head coach Steve Tikolo expressed strong disappointment with his team’s performance, pointing out that Uganda collapsed from 190 runs to lose their final five wickets for just 16 runs. He warned that the team must improve their tactical thinking and discipline to survive in the 50-over format.

“If this is the type of cricket we want to play, it’s not going to be easy,” Tikolo said. He urged his players to reflect deeply on their mental approach, noting that 50-over cricket requires patience and smart decisions rather than just entertainment. With hard work ahead, Uganda must now prepare for a tougher challenge in the next round.