TheCable

The Yellow-Green, Nigeria’s men cricket team, have extended its lead to 2-1 after three matches at the ongoing bilateral T20i series with Sierra Leone.

The third encounter took place at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) oval pitch on Thursday.

The Nigerians grossed 124 runs in the first inning of the third game and ran out the visiting team at 53 and all out.

Josha Ayannaike, captain of the Nigerian team, said the team won the match through the players’ bowling prowess.

He, however, admitted that they need to improve on the pitch in the next matches.

“I must commend my teammates for their effort. We need to get our batters to stay longer on the crease and I believe we will improve,” Ayannaike said.

Slyvester Okpe was named man of the match for the second game — an award he also won in the second encounter when Nigeria had its first win.

The six-match T-20i bilateral series between Nigeria and Sierra Leone is supported by Access Bank Plc, Ardova Plc, Custodian Insurance Plc, Notore, Glee Hotels and Spa and PETS Foundation.

Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), who declared the series open on Tuesday, said the country undertook the event to shape up its players for the forthcoming International Cricket Council’s T-20i World Cup African qualifier in Rwanda next month.

“We have an all-inclusive development plan from the grassroots to elite athletes and we will work with everything within our means to make the plan succeed,” Akpata said.

The fourth game of the series is scheduled for Saturday while the fifth and sixth games would hold on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.