Nigeria delivered a cricketing masterclass during the T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa Qualifier in Lagos, leaving Ivory Coast with a performance to forget. On Sunday, November 25, Nigeria set a staggering target of 271/4 and dismissed Ivory Coast for a mere seven runs, the lowest total in men’s T20I history.
Nigeria’s Batting Dominance
Winning the toss, Nigeria opted to bat and unleashed an onslaught. Selim Salau led the charge with an explosive 112 off 53 balls, showcasing a display of power-hitting before retiring. Isaac Okpe followed with a blistering unbeaten 65 off just 23 deliveries, smashing six sixes and three fours. Their combined effort propelled Nigeria to a formidable 271/4 in 20 overs, leaving Ivory Coast a mountain to climb.
Ivory Coast’s Historic Collapse
Chasing the massive target, Ivory Coast’s innings fell apart in dramatic fashion. Opener Ouattara Mohamed was the top scorer with just four runs, the only batter to score more than a single. The rest of the lineup crumbled, producing six ducks and failing to hit a single boundary. Ivory Coast was bowled out for seven runs in just 7.3 overs, setting a new low in T20I cricket.
A Crushing Victory
Nigeria’s 264-run victory, though monumental, fell short of the biggest T20I win by runs, which Zimbabwe holds with a 290-run margin over Gambia. However, this result emphasized Nigeria’s dominance and intent in the tournament.
As the qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup progress, Nigeria emerges as a strong contender. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast faces the challenge of recovering from this humiliating defeat to keep their campaign alive.
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