1st Semi – Final (29TH March 2021)
KADUNA STATE vs LAGOS STATE
Bitter rivalries were refreshed once again between 2 giants of the game in Nigeria. Lagos State having a psychological edge against Kaduna State, while Kaduna State looking to take back their pound of flesh for near misses at the title crown and narrow losses against Lagos in recent years. The 50 overs ODI format was a test of wits and patience with tactical tenacity.
Kaduna State won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring a total of 164 runs all out in 47.1 overs, which at that level would be considered a below par score.
Isaac Okpe played a masterclass innings recording a personal score of 60 runs off 93 balls as the best bating figures for team Kaduna.
Mustapha Yusuf of Lagos state was lethal with the ball, taking 6 wickets, conceding 33 runs in 9 overs.
In the second innings, Lagos State started their run chase very brightly with early boundaries, signaling another case of ‘De ja vu’ for Kaduna. However, Isaac Okpe and Abdulrahaman Jimoh broke the opening pair partnership and that’s how the cookies crumbled gradually for Lagos. There was a late surge of fightback from Lagos but the wicket of Taiwo Mohammed proved too costly as Lagos could only manage a total of 124 runs all out in 34.4 overs. Kaduna state had finally broken the jinx and matched on to the finals waiting for either Edo or Oyo State.
Taiwo Mohammed scored 23 runs off 31 balls, strongly supported by Sesan Adedeji with 20 runs off 28 balls to show the best efforts with the bat from Lagos.
Isaac Okpe and Jimoh Abdulrahanman got 3 wickets each, conceding 27 and 25 runs each in 7.4 and 7 overs respectively.
Isaac Okpe was named player of the match.
Result: Kaduna State won by 44 runs
2ND SEMI FINAL FIXTURES (50 overs)
Tuesday 30th March 2021
EDO STATE vs OYO STATE
(9:00am prompt)
MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (NCF)