Nigeria, Kenya in opening win at cricket WCQ in Abuja
BY Afolabi Gambari
The junior Yellow-Greens of Nigeria overran Rwanda in their opening match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s cricket World Cup Africa division 2 qualifiers at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday.
The 2020 U-19 World Cup African flag bearers sacked the entire Rwandan batsmen in 24.3 overs with Nigerian captain Ridwan Abdulkarim taking four wickets in six over with six runs to lead his country to a 10 wickets victory.
Daniel Gim, coach of the Nigerian team, said his team played to his match plan.
He added that he hopes the next series of games will follow in a similar fashion.
“The team is motivated and the players are already looking forward to their next game. We hope the weather will be clement as well and allow the depth and talent in the Nigeria team to flourish,” Gim said.
The Kenyans, who played on pitch 1 of the NCF twin ovals, also made light work of their Malawian opponents with a massive 315-run win. Man of the match Darsh Panchani had 210 runs off 132 balls. The winners carded 346 runs and left Malawi to 31 runs all out
Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, said: “The teams are having a great time. For me and the local organising team, it is a pleasure to have these African countries congregate here and it is a testament to all the efforts we have put into cricket development.”
Nigeria’s next game comes up on Sunday when the junior Yellow-Greens take on Botswana.
The top-three finishers from this event will advance into the division 1 qualifiers where they will contest for only one spot for a final place at the 2024 U-19 World Cup.
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