June 04, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1428

DARWIN (Australia), June 3: Uganda and Argentina go forward into the next phase of qualifying for the 2011 World Cup after reaching the final of the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 played here.

Uganda will progress as champions into November's Division 2 qualifier after beating Argentina by 91 runs in the final on Saturday.

Frank Nsubuga's 38-ball 55, including four fours and two sixes, and Patrick Ochan's whirlwind 56 off 34 balls with a four and four sixes helped lift Uganda from 79 for seven to 241 for eight off their 50 overs.

The pair then shared seven wickets as the Argentines were dismissed for 150 in 46.3 overs. Nsubuga claimed 4-27 and Ochan 3-25, each from 10 overs.

Nsubuga, named Man-of-the-Match, put on 80 for the eighth wicket with wicket-keeper Lawrence Sematimba (39 not out off 76 balls).

After Nsubuga's departure, Ochan, who played in last year's Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, provided an impetus to the innings by adding an unbroken 82 runs for the ninth wicket with Sematimba.

Uganda captain Joel Olweny said it has been a great week for his team but he was quick to set his players new targets.

“No doubt it has been a dream tournament for us. We came here aiming to qualify for Division 2 and are now returning with the title,” Olweny said.

“But as this tournament finishes, the quest for the next begins and the target now is to finish in the top four in Namibia in November and qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers (in the United Arab Emirates in 2009).”

Olweny said Uganda has plenty of emerging cricketing talent.

“Some very exciting youngsters are coming up and I am sure they will make a very good name of themselves in years to come,” he said.

Argentina captain Esteban MacDermott said: “I know we could have done better. We had our moments but since we are a new side we couldn't pounce on the opportunities that were provided to us.”

Uganda and Argentina will now join the United Arab Emirates, Namibia, Denmark and Oman in the ICC WCL Division 2 in Windhoek, Namibia, in November.

A top-four finish there would mean a berth at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (formerly the ICC Trophy) in the UAE in 2009 and with it the chance to secure a spot in the next World Cup, on the Asian sub-continent in 2011.—AFP