Gripping cricket contests on the cards
Mqondisi Dube | Friday May 29, 2026 13:23
The World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier A have produced exhilarating cricket since six nations touched down last week, to join the hosts for a cricket festival. The red-hot action kicked off on Saturday, but it is today and tomorrow that local fans will see their side face a testing examination. As of yesterday, Uganda had all but secured one of the top two slots required to progress to the next phase of the qualifiers.
The East Africans have been belligerent, putting their opponents to the sword to undermine their rise as a cricket force on the continent. In 2024, the Cricket Cranes made history by qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time.
This was followed by their first-ever win at the World Cup finals, after they defeated Papua New Guinea.
Uganda is now the dominant, rising name in East African cricket, and has already made a statement win over a Kenya side that used to hold the crown.
Kenya has seen a remarkable slide since making their last appearance at the 2011 ODI World Cup. The East Africans have four World Cup appearances under their belt, but are now a pale shadow of themselves, forced to compete in the regional qualifiers.
Whilst Uganda is flying, Kenya face the prospect of missing out, as they currently hold the third spot behind Botswana.
With fans already treated to top-class action over the last six days, the tournament will reach its climactic moment when Botswana come face to face with Kenya today. It is a must-win game for the hosts, who will all but secure second spot ahead of their final game against Uganda on Saturday. Botswana has the ammunition to upset Kenya, with a number of players raising their hands in the previous fixtures.
Monroux Kasselman blasted 66 off 40 balls to lead Botswana to a 70-run victory over Sierra Leone, whilst Katlo Piet weighed in with three wickets from his four overs.
Against Mali, Nabil Master produced a bowling masterpiece, taking his first five-wicket haul, with six wickets whilst conceding only two runs. Masters' exploits saw Botswana demolish their opponents by two wickets.
It has been a balanced display from the home side, with the players shining with both bat and ball. Mmoloki Mooketsi's slow left-arm bowling proved to be the turning point in Botswana's game against Cameroon, as the spinner plucked three wickets whilst conceding a measly three runs.
Botswana won by 71 runs to chalk their third successive victory, before Karabo Motlhanka and Kasselman's centuries powered the team to a 231 win over Ivory Coast. It is the perfect warm-up for the do or die encounters against Kenya and Uganda.