One of the most remarkable cricket stories this year has been the rise of Uganda, who secured a spot in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating several high-profile teams in the African Qualifiers.
However, in their opening match against Afghanistan, Uganda faced a stark contrast between top-tier and associate teams, particularly in their batting performance. All-rounder Riazat Ali Shah, originally from Pakistan, set an unwanted T20 World Cup record despite his resistance with the bat.
Shah scored 11 runs off 34 deliveries, registering the lowest strike rate (32.35) in an innings in T20 World Cup history for any player facing a minimum of 25 balls. This record surpasses West Indies’ Dwayne Smith, who scored 11 off 29 balls against India in the 2014 edition. Other players on the list include Bangladesh’s Alok Kapali, Scotland’s Majid Haq, and West Indies’ Lendl Simmons.
| Player | Score | Strike-Rate | Opponent | T20 WC Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riazat Ali Shah | 11 (34) | 32.35 | Afghanistan | 2024 |
| Dwayne Smith | 11 (29) | 37.93 | India | 2014 |
| Alok Kapali | 14 (35) | 40.00 | South Africa | 2007 |
| Majid Haq | 14 (31) | 45.16 | Pakistan | 2007 |
| Lendl Simmons | 16 (35) | 45.71 | South Africa | 2021 |
The 26-year-old Shah, born in Gilgit, Pakistan, has represented Uganda in 57 T20Is, scoring 1,212 runs with a top score of 98 not out, and has taken 40 wickets at an average of 21.27.
In the match against Afghanistan, the Afghan team posted an impressive 183 for 5, primarily due to a 154-run stand between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. In response, Uganda crumbled against the pace attack, notably led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed a memorable five-wicket haul. This included the dismissal of Shah, who was bowled out during the innings.
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