Cricket’s Sibling Duo Represent Uganda on Global Stage
As Uganda makes its debut appearance at the T20 World Cup, the country’s cricketing history is being shaped by a pair of brothers, Frank Nsubuga and Roger Mukasa, who are both representing their nation on the global stage.
The sibling rivalry that often characterizes famous sporting families seems to take a backseat when it comes to the spirit of the game, as the elder Nsubuga, a right-arm spin all-rounder, refrains from bowling bouncers at his younger brother, Mukasa, who is now primarily a batter.
“I cannot bowl a bouncer at him because I don’t want to kill my young brother,” Nsubuga said with a laugh when speaking to BBC Sport Africa. This nurturing approach has allowed Mukasa’s talents to flourish, as Nsubuga recalls, “He was hitting the ball well. I thought that if he was older, the sky would be the limit.”
The Mukasa family’s dedication to the sport has run deep, with another brother, Lawrence Sematimba, also playing international cricket as a wicketkeeper for Uganda, and now coaching the women’s national team.
Nsubuga, at 43 years old, is the oldest player at this year’s T20 World Cup, having started his competitive cricket journey in 1997. His fitness regimen, which includes running 8km every morning, has kept him in the game, alongside other veteran players like Shoaib Malik and Chris Gayle.
Representing the Mukasa Family Name
“It feels nice to play with a person who gave me some knowledge when I was growing up,” Mukasa said of his elder sibling. “We are representing the name of the Mukasa family. We are serving our country and want to leave a legacy in Ugandan sports.”
In a country where football dominates, the Mukasa brothers’ journey into cricket was not a straightforward one. “We used to enjoy ourselves playing as three brothers,” Nsubuga recalled, remembering their backyard cricket sessions. “That’s how we came to fall in love with cricket, and cricket has been my life. Cricket has given us whatever we have.”
Despite their occasional on-field disagreements, the brothers leave their differences behind once the game is over. “We don’t take it personally because we want to perform for the team. We leave it there after the game and it’s gone,” Mukasa said.
Uganda’s Surprise Performance
Uganda’s surprise performance in the African qualification tournament, finishing second to Namibia and earning their place at the ongoing T20 World Cup, has been a highlight for the country’s cricketing community. The team’s memorable five-wicket win over Zimbabwe, their first victory over a Test-playing nation, was a testament to their determination and skill.
As the Cricket Cranes, ranked 22nd in the world, continue their campaign, the Mukasa brothers, along with the rest of the team, are eager to make their mark on the global stage. “We want to leave a mark on this World Cup,” Nsubuga said. “We are underdogs but we want to enjoy our moment and our cricket.”
Whether they advance to the Super 8 stage or not, the Mukasa brothers have already etched their names in Ugandan cricket history, representing their country with pride and sibling camaraderie on the world’s biggest T20 cricket stage.
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