Day Four of the Nigeria T20 Quadrangular Series produced a double dose of drama at the TBS Cricket Oval on Friday, as Nigeria survived a tense encounter against Nigeria A, while Sierra Leone held off Ghana in a rain-affected contest.
The two results have tightened the race at the top of the league standings, with Nigeria A remaining in first place on six points, while Nigeria and Sierra Leone sit level on five points each.
Nigeria completed a hard-fought two-wicket victory over Nigeria A, chasing down 113 with five balls to spare after Nigeria A had been bowled out for 112 in 19.2 overs.
Put in to bat, Nigeria A were given a strong platform by Elijah Saturday Jimmy, who produced the innings’ outstanding contribution with a commanding 51 from 35 balls, including eight fours and a six. His 145.71 strike rate provided the backbone of an innings that eventually yielded 112.
But Nigeria’s bowlers kept pulling the innings back. Adewoye Vincent was particularly economical, claiming two wickets for just one run from his solitary over, while Okpe Sylvester later produced the best bowling figures of the match, finishing with 4/17 from four overs.
Nigeria’s chase was anything but straightforward.
The wickets fell regularly, leaving the national side at 98 for eight, but Isaac Okpe provided the decisive intervention. Coming into the middle under pressure, Okpe unleashed an unbeaten 36 from just 21 balls, striking two fours and three sixes at a blistering strike rate of 171.43. Scorecard_27241173
With Peter Aho alongside him, Okpe saw Nigeria across the line at 113/8 in 19.1 overs, securing a two-wicket victory and five valuable points.
Earlier in the day, Sierra Leone overcame Ghana by 13 runs under the DLS method in a match reduced to 15 overs following interruptions.
Sierra Leone had initially posted 120/5 in 18 overs, with Abubakar Kamara anchoring the innings with a superb 57 from 42 balls, including two fours and three sixes. Alusine Turay added a rapid 30 from 21 balls, while the pair helped Sierra Leone establish a competitive total before the weather intervened.
Ghana’s response was led by wicketkeeper-batter Joseph K Theodore, who remained unbeaten on 60 from 58 balls, but Ghana could only reach 84/2 from its allotted 15 overs. Sierra Leone therefore secured a 13-run DLS victory.
Nitesh Lakhara was Sierra Leone’s leading bowler, claiming 3/26 from four overs, while Aliya Kamara returned 1/11.
With the fourth round of league matches now complete, Nigeria A lead the table with six points, followed by Nigeria and Sierra Leone on five points apiece. Ghana remain without a point after four matches. The standings also show Nigeria A with the strongest net run rate at +1.211, while Nigeria sit at +0.588 and Sierra Leone at -0.181.
Day Four has therefore left the competition finely poised, with every remaining result carrying significant weight as the teams continue their pursuit of a place at the summit.
The TBS Cricket Oval has delivered another day of compelling T20 cricket and the Nigeria T20 Quadrangular Series is heading into its decisive phase.