By Ibraheem Lateef Ayodele
When Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team defeated Botswana on Sunday afternoon in Abuja, its managers were thrilled with the boy’s performance and raised the hope to repeat the 2019 experience when the country first qualified for a Cricket World Cup event, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
The damp field caused the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, Africa qualification match to be delayed. However, instead of starting at 9:30 am on Sunday as scheduled, the match between Botswana and Nigeria started around 12:30 pm.
Despite winning the toss, Nigeria decided to bowl first. Thanks to their potent bowling attack, the Nigerian team caused Botswana’s batting to suffer a setback. Prosper Useni and Gafar Kareem each got two wickets, while Elochukwu Ndubudem and Ridwan Kareem both made three dismissals.
In 24.2 overs, Botswana could only manage 56 runs before being all out. Captain Karabo Makwatse gave his country 14 runs before he was caught by Nigeria’s Paul Pam.
Nigeria in the second inning set out Paul Pam and Selim Salau again to start the batting for the targeted 57 runs.
The duo like in the first match against Rwanda finished in style to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence. Salau scored 21 runs off 35 balls while Paul Pam made 27 runs from 33 balls. Pam finished Nigeria’s batting innings in grand style as he converted a ‘No ball’ infringement to maximum ‘Six runs’ to bring Nigeria’s total to 58 runs.
Nigeria’s Elochukwu Ndubudem won the Man of the Match award.
It was the second sweet victory was for the teenage Nigerian cricketers as they sit comfortably in the group’s top position.
Nigeria’s next match is scheduled for Tuesday against West African neighbour, Sierra Leon.
