Nigeria continued its high quality begin to the continuing ICC T20 Cricket World Cup sub-regional qualifier yesterday with a 264-run defeat of Cote d’Ivoire in Abuja.
The Yellow-Inexperienced had earlier on Saturday defeated St. Helena by 118 runs, with Ridwan Abdulkareen taking three wickets in succession (totalling 4 within the recreation) to emerge man of the match.
The win yesterday on the cricket oval of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, put the nation on prime of the desk with a 9.55 internet run charge after two matches.
Yesterday, Nigeria opted to bat after profitable the toss in opposition to Cote d’Ivoire with the hope of placing a good complete on the board and complimenting the day with their fiery bowling prowess.
The opening duo of Selim Salau and Sulaimon Runsewe set off a racy inning for the group. A outstanding show of energy hitting by Selim Salau, smashing 112 off 53, together with 13 fours and a couple of sixes, laid the inspiration for Nigeria’s large complete of 271/4 in 20 overs in opposition to the Ivorian facet, who had been having their maiden worldwide cricket outing.
Contributing 23 extras to the full, Cote d’Ivoire’s undisciplined strategy with the ball on the day additionally gifted a half-century to Runsewe Sulaimon 50 off 29 and Isaac Okpe 65 off 23.
Within the chase, Cote’d’Ivoire hardly ever discovered type as Nigeria’s scientific bowling wanted solely 7.3 overs to ship all batters again to the pavilion with simply seven runs on board. This consequence will go down within the books for Nigeria having dislodged a group in seven runs.
Talking after the match, Yellow Greens Captain Sylvester Okpe mentioned that the group’s match plan went in line with plan, noting that the group took every match on its benefit and would go and analyse their efficiency regardless of the win to chop down on their errors.
“This can be a group occasion and we’re taking each recreation one after the other. We’d have gained our matches; we need to return and see the place we have to enhance on regardless of the efficiency. However I have to give kudos to the group for working collectively and turning as much as carry one another each time there’s a slip.”
Additionally talking on the sport, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, who can also be the chairman of the Native Organising Committee (LOC), counseled the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) for trusting the NCF to ship a world-class occasion.
“This could make all of us proud as Nigerians… the worldwide highlight this occasion has given the nation, the commendation for the standard of cricket manpower and facility that the nation is showcasing with this occasion. The icing on this: is that the nationwide group is equally doing effectively and delivering unbelievable efficiency on the occasion,” he mentioned.
The competitors will take a break right now, with play resuming tomorrow with St. Helena taking up Sierra Leon on Oval 1 at 9:30 am, whereas the match between Nigeria and Eswatini will maintain at Oval 2 at 1: 50pm, the identical time Cote D’Ivoire can be taking up Botswana.
The most effective two groups on the finish of the occasion of the competitors on November 28 will proceed to the ultimate qualifiers for the 2025 T20 World Cup.
