*Match 2: Nigeria Vs Sierra Leone.*

 

The second match of the proposed 6 T20 matches in the bilateral series between Nigeria and Sierra Leone left spectators on the edge of their seats all through the game as Nigeria showed resilience and class to tie the series at 1 at piece.

Nigeria had to bounce back quickly from the shocking defeat against Sierra Leone on match day 1 if they really want to win the series and that is what happened when they won the toss and elected to Bat first.

The opening pair of Captain Joshua Ayannaike and Asmit Sherestha struggle to get going as the 1st over was a maiden and Nigeria losing the first wicket in the 2nd over. At the end of the power play over, the run rate was under 3 posing a concern for the Nigeria bench. Ashmit and Sesan adedeji increased the tempo to put up a decent partnership to get Nigeria going before both batters lost their wickets. The middle order contributed their quota while the tail struggled once again.

Nigeria finished with 102 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Ashmit led the bating score with 24 runs, supported by Isaac with 23, Sesan with 19 runs and Daniel Gim with 18 runs as best bating figures for Nigeria.

Samuel Conteh was the start performer with the ball for Sierra Leone taking 5 wickets, conceding 17 runs in 4 overs.

In the second innings, Sierra Leone took control of the power play overs, scoring the required run rate of 5 runs per over to leave them firmly in control of the match on 33 runs after 6 overs. The game swung in both directions for most of the match, leaving fans and faithful’s on the edge of their seats for the entire game.

Nigeria was relieved as wickets fell after every over, piling the pressure on the Sierra Leone batters. John Bangura was the lone ranger in the middle as the only player with resistance to the onslaught from the Nigeria bowlers. In the end, Sierra Leone finished agonizingly short of the required runs to post a total of 96 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs.

John Bangura scored 46 runs off 48 balls and Abubakarr Kamara scored 10 runs off 17 balls as the only double figures for Sierra Leone.

Sylvester Okpe stole the show in the bowling department for Nigeria by taking 3 wickets, 1 Maiden, conceding 12 runs in 4 overs.

Sylvester Okpe was named player of the match.

*Nigeria won by 6 runs*

 

*MATCH FIXTURES*

21st October, Thursday, 3rd T-20, — 2:pm

22nd October, Friday— REST DAY

23rd October, Saturday, 4th T-20, — 10:am

24th October, Sunday, 5th T-20, — 2: pm

25th October, Monday, — REST DAY

26th October, Tuesday, 6th T-20 —- 10: am

Ends………

 

*MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE*
*PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (NCF)*