Nigeria crush Gambia by 160 runs in T20 World Cup qualifier opener
- Nigeria's YellowGreens beat Gambia by 160 runs in Abuja on Tuesday to open their T20 World Cup qualifier campaign.
- Selim Salau hit an unbeaten 105 off 58 balls as Nigeria posted 262 for one in 20 overs.
- Gambia were bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs; Nigeria face Zambia on Wednesday.
Nigeria's national cricket team, the YellowGreens, opened their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign with a 160-run win over The Gambia in Abuja on Tuesday.
Playing at NCF Oval 2 inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Nigeria won the toss, chose to bat and piled up 262 for one in their 20 overs. The Gambia were then bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs.
The win gives Nigeria an early boost in a six-team round-robin tournament that also features Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. The top two teams move on to the 2027 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, keeping alive the chase for a place at the global tournament.
Salau leads the charge
Selim Salau anchored the innings with an unbeaten 105 off 58 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. He was named Player of the Match.
Isaac Danladi supported with 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Isaac Okpe then finished the innings in a hurry, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 balls, with three fours and six sixes.
Chasing 263, The Gambia could not keep up with the required rate and were dismissed well inside their 20 overs.
The margin also gives Nigeria a strong net run-rate, which could matter in a short round-robin where places are decided on more than just wins.
What happens next
Nigeria return to the crease on Wednesday against Zambia at NCF Oval 1 in Abuja. With Salau, Danladi and Okpe in form, the hosts will be hoping to carry the momentum into a match that could shape the group.
