The Nigeria T20 Quadrangular Series got off to an absorbing start at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos on Monday, with Nigeria A and Nigeria securing victories in the opening two league matches of the competition.
The opening day produced contrasting contests, but the same outcome for the Nigerian sides, as Nigeria A defeated Sierra Leone by 33 runs, before the national side followed with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Ghana.
In the opening fixture, Sierra Leone won the toss and elected to field, putting Nigeria A into bat.
Nigeria A posted 113 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs, surviving an early wobble before recovering through contributions down the order. Captain Taiwo Mohammed led from the front with a composed 28 off 20 balls, including a six, while wicketkeeper Olaleye Olayinka Elijah added 25 from 32 balls.
Elijah Saturday Jimmy provided early impetus with 12 off 10, while Kareem Gafar contributed 15 and Bright Nyong struck 8 from seven deliveries. Nigeria A’s innings also received a late push from Omonkhobhio Hossana, who made 13 off 11 balls, including two fours.
Sierra Leone’s bowlers kept the Nigerian batting unit under pressure, with George Sesay claiming three wickets for 19 runs, while Raymond Coker and Solomon Williams took two wickets apiece.
The chase, however, never gathered sufficient momentum.
Sierra Leone slipped to 80 all out in 19.5 overs, handing Nigeria A a 33-run victory. Alusine Turay top-scored with 17 from 16 balls, while Eric Musa Turay and captain Lamin Lansana contributed 15 and 14 respectively.
Nigeria A’s bowling attack then took control of the contest. Ndubudem Elochukwu David produced the outstanding spell of the innings, taking 3 for 10 from four overs, while Mustapha Yussuff also claimed three wickets. Kareem Gafar added two wickets, with Okpe Sylvester and Sesan Adedeji taking one apiece.
The result gave Nigeria A an ideal opening to the four-team series.
The second match brought the host nation’s senior side, Nigeria, onto the field against Ghana.
Ghana won the toss and chose to bat, but Nigeria’s bowlers quickly imposed themselves on the innings.
The Ghanaian side finished on 91 for 9 after 20 overs, with Judah Nii Arday Girhanu Solomon anchoring the innings with 35 from 44 balls. Philip Yevugah provided late acceleration with 15 from 11 deliveries, while captain Obed Harvey made seven.
Nigeria’s attack was led by captain Chima Akachukwu, who returned 2 for 10 from three overs. Akhigbe Miracle also claimed two wickets for 14 runs, while Peter Aho took one wicket for 12. AbdulKareem Ridwan and Kenneth Boniface completed the wickets for Nigeria.
The Ghana innings was also punctuated by disciplined fielding from Nigeria, with two run-outs contributing to the fall of wickets as Ghana struggled to build sustained partnerships.
Nigeria’s response was markedly more assured.
After losing Rahmon Ali for a duck in the second over, the YellowGreens settled into the chase through Selim Salau and Isaac Danladi. Salau struck 22 from 25 balls before falling at 59, leaving Danladi to take charge of the pursuit.
Danladi produced the innings of the day, remaining unbeaten on a commanding 52 from 41 deliveries, with six fours and a six. He was joined by Akhigbe Miracle, who finished unbeaten on 19 from just 11 balls, including a four and two sixes at a strike rate of 172.73.
Nigeria reached 95 for 2 in just 13 overs, securing an eight-wicket victory with seven overs to spare.
Across the opening two matches, Nigeria’s teams showcased two important sides of T20 cricket: the ability to defend a modest total through disciplined bowling, and the capacity to chase efficiently when the opportunity presented itself.
For Nigeria A, the foundation was a collective bowling effort after posting 113. For the YellowGreens, the defining feature was an economical bowling performance followed by an aggressive and controlled chase led by Danladi.
With two Nigerian victories from the opening two matches, the T20 Quadrangular Series has begun with the hosts making their presence felt at the TBS Cricket Oval.
And with the league still unfolding, Day One has set the stage for more cricket, more pressure and more opportunities for the competing sides to make their mark.
The series is underway. The Oval has spoken. The contest has begun.
Upcoming matches :22-09-2026
Sierra Leone vs Ghana 10:00 AM
Nigeria A vs Nigeria 02:00 PM