MATCH 1: NIGERIA vs SIERRA LEONE

 

The Much awaited and talked about bilateral series between Nigeria and Sierra Leone has lived up to the expectation as Sierra Leone draw first blood in the proposed 6 matches encounter.

Opening proceedings for the day was the official handover of the Cricket oval to the Unilag Cricket Alumni by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation and Chairman of the Unilag Cricket Alumi, Mr. Uyi Akpata.

Match 1 was delayed by weather conditions and start up time revised to 12 noon. Prior to the kickoff, there was a rave of excitement as both teams lined up and chorused with passion when their respective National Anthem was played.

Sierra Leone won the toss and elected to bowl first which proved to be a smart decision. Nigeria opening bats struggled in the opening exchanges as they lost 4 wickets in the power play over. Isaac Okpe and Peter Aho fought back to leave Nigeria with a fairly decent score of 99 runs all out in 20 overs.

Isaac Okpe scored 36 runs off 27 balls, supported by Peter Aho with 20 runs off 27 balls as the best bating Figures for Nigeria.

Miniru Kpaka got 4 wickets, conceding 11 runs in 4 overs and Samuel Conteh got 3 wickets to sum up a very impressive bowling performance from Sierra Leone.

 

In the second innings, Sierra Leone never looked like giving up the game as they scored the required runs of 5 per over to put Nigeria constantly under pressure. Nigeria fought back in the closing stages but left it too little too late to put Sierra Leone back on the edge leaving them with 4 runs in the last over.  Isaac Okpe showed class to take the match to the wire with just 1 run required to win. Captain Lamin scored the run to erupt the Sierra Leone dugout and leave the Nigeria bench in silence.

Sesan Adedeji got 2 wickets in 2 overs, conceding 14 runs while Abolarin Rasheed and Isaac Okpe both had one wicket at piece.

Lasana Lamin scored 28 runs off 26 balls, John Bangura score 24 runs off 27 balls and Arvind Laiji scored 15 runs off 24 balls as the best bating contributions for Sierra Leone.

 

Miniru Kpaka of Sierra Leone was named player of the match with 4 wickets, conceding 11 run in 4 overs.

 

*Sierra Leone won by 6 wickets.*

 

*MATCH FIXTURES*


20th October, Wednesday, 2nd T-20,— 10:am

 

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

 

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