Brian Masaba stepped down as Uganda's cricket captain after the team's exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage. Brian Masaba had led Uganda for five years, including at the ongoing tournament in the USA and Caribbean.
Brian Masaba leaves Uganda captaincy after T20 World Cup ouster
Despite Uganda only managing one win against Papua New Guinea and finishing last in their group. Notably, Uganda losing to Afghanistan, West Indies and New Zealand in Group C. Masaba's leadership spanned five years and included 63 T20 internationals for the all-rounder. The 32-year-old right-arm bowler, capable of both pace and spin variations, even chipped in with 24 wickets and 439 runs in the shortest format. He even had a noteworthy performance at the World Cup, taking five wickets including a two-wicket haul against the West Indies.
“It’s (stepping down) something I have been considering for quite a while now,” Masaba said in a speech shared by Uganda Cricket Association on social media.
Having risen through the ranks from Uganda's U-19 team, Masaba reflected on his captaincy with pride. He called it a privilege to have led his country for the past five years.
“It’s the biggest honour and privilege in my life to lead my country and also the guys. Not just at the World Cup, but for the last five years. There has been a lot of growth for me as an individual and lessons I’ve learnt about leadership and sacrifice, which will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he added in his farewell speech, a day after arriving back home from the T20 World Cup.
Despite Uganda's early exit from the T20 World Cup, there were some positive takeaways. Their victory over Zimbabwe to qualify for the tournament was a highlight. However, outgoing captain Brian Masaba emphasized the need for more matches and opportunities for Associate nations like Uganda to compete against established teams. Masaba's leadership leaves a strong legacy. He steps down as the joint-second most successful captain in T20I history, with a record of 45 wins in 60 matches – tying India's Rohit Sharma for the number two spot. Pakistan's Babar Azam remains the most successful T20I captain with 48 wins.
Captains with most wins in T20Is (including Super Over wins)
| 48 wins in 85 matches - Babar Azam (Pakistan) |
| 45 wins in 60 matches - Brian Masaba (Uganda) |
| 45 wins in 57 matches - Rohit Sharma (India) |
| 44 wins in 71 matches - Eoin Morgan (England) |
| 42 wins in 52 matches - Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan) |
| 42 wins in 72 matches - MS Dhoni (India) |
| 41 wins in 76 matches - Aaron Finch (Australia) |
| 48 wins in 85 matches - Babar Azam (Pakistan) |
| 45 wins in 60 matches - Brian Masaba (Uganda) |
| 45 wins in 57 matches - Rohit Sharma (India) |
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