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Nigeria Crush Gambia by 160 Runs in T20 World Cup Qualifier Opener

Posted : 21 October 2026

Nigeria’s YellowGreens made an emphatic start to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C with a 160-run victory over Gambia at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, October 20. The hosts produced a commanding batting display before dismissing their opponents for 102 in 17.2 overs.

Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat, finishing their innings on 262 for one wicket in 20 overs. Selim Salau led the attack with an unbeaten 105 from 58 balls, striking 12 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 181.03. His century earned him the Player of the Match award.

Isaac Danladi provided strong support with 86 runs from 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. The pair established a strong platform before Isaac Okpe delivered a late burst of power, scoring an unbeaten 56 from just 16 deliveries. Okpe struck three fours and six sixes as Nigeria finished with a run rate of 13.10.

Gambia faced a daunting target of 263 but struggled to keep pace with the required scoring rate. Andre Jarju top-scored with 39 from 38 balls, while Frank Campbell contributed 25 from 20 deliveries. The remaining batters failed to build substantial partnerships against Nigeria's bowling attack.

Ridwan Abdulkareem and Sylvester Okpe were Nigeria's leading wicket-takers, claiming three wickets each. Abdulkareem conceded just eight runs in four overs, while Okpe took three wickets for 26 runs in three overs. Chima Akachukwu and Isaac Okpe also claimed a wicket apiece as Gambia were bowled out well short of the target.

The result gave Nigeria an important early boost in the six-team qualifying tournament. Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia are also competing in the event, which runs from October 18 to 26 across two venues in Abuja. The teams are playing a single round-robin schedule, with the top two advancing to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.

Nigeria will aim to maintain their momentum in their next fixture against Zambia on Wednesday, October 21. Another strong performance would strengthen the YellowGreens' position in the race for a place in the regional final and keep their hopes of reaching the 2028 ICC Men's T20 World Cup alive.

 

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