Nigeria players celebrate following after their thumping win over Ivory Coast in an T20 ICC Africa Mens’s World Cup qualifier. Nigeria players celebrate following after their thumping win over Ivory Coast in an T20 ICC Africa Mens’s World Cup qualifier. Picture: @ICC_Africa_ via X
Ivory Coast set a new record for the lowest total ever recorded in a T20 international when they were bowled out for just seven by Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
It was three runs fewer than the previous record of 10, set by the Isle of Man when they lost to Spain in 2023 and equalled by Mongolia against Singapore in September.
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first in the T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa qualifier, racking up an imposing 271/4 in their 20 overs.
Selim Salau smashed 112 from 53 balls before retiring while Isaac Okpe's 65 not out from 23 balls included six sixes and three fours.
A 264-run win for the hosts on matchday two of the #T20AfricaMensWCQualifierC.
— ICC Africa (@ICC_Africa_) November 24, 2024
Nigeria 271/4 in 20 overs, Ivory Coast 7/10 in 7.3 overs
Full match details: https://t.co/s8EkObxse8 https://t.co/nMJpD1fhDN pic.twitter.com/tsghd4f9zm
Ivory Coast opener Ouattara Mohamed made four before being the first man out.
Little did he know that he would be Ivory Coast's top-scorer as the innings folded without even a boundary in just 7.3 overs. Only Mimi Alex, wicketkeeper Maiga Ibrahim and Dje Claude troubled the scorers with a single each.
Six of their batsmen were dismissed for ducks while Ladji Ezechiel remained unbeaten on nought.
Nigeria won the match by a massive 264 runs which, perhaps surprisingly, is not a record as Zimbabwe beat Gambia by 290 runs in Nairobi last month.
The tournament forms part of the qualification process for the men's 2026 T20 World Cup.
AFP