Both teams booked their spots in next year’s Africa regional final, where they’ll battle for a place in the 2028 ICC Men’s World Cup.
Edwin Kiplagat, Marabou News Agency
Hosts Nigeria secured a narrow one-run win over Uganda on Sunday to claim the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C title in the country’s capital, Abuja.
Both teams had already booked their spots in next year’s Africa Regional Final, where they’ll battle for a place in the 2028 ICC Men’s World Cup.
The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first. They scored 148 runs all out in 19.4 overs. Isaac Danladi led the scoring for Nigeria, bagging 47 runs off 28 deliveries, while Ali Rahmon added 35 off 23 balls.
Uganda’s Joseph Baguma shone with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs in four overs, while Juma Miyagi picked up 2 for 17.
In response, Uganda fell just short, finishing on 147 for 9 in their 20 overs. Captain Riazat Ali Shah led the chase with a 36-ball 60, but Nigeria sealed the victory when Juma Miyagi was run out on the final ball.
“I think there’s a lot of learning in this game and there’s a lot of positives for us, especially the way we played our first four games and the way our bowlers bowled and the way our batters batted,” said Ugandan captain Riazat Ali Shah.
“I think the first and most important thing is to respect the game. When you’re in a position to win, win. When you’re in a position to fight, fight. Today we didn’t do enough of those things and I could say we deserved to be on the losing side,” Cricket Cranes assistant coach Jackson Ogwang said.
Nigeria finished at the top of the standings with an undefeated record of five wins from five matches, ending with 10 points, while the East Africans placed second with four wins and eight points.
Zambia finished third, with Mozambique, Lesotho, and Gambia rounding out fourth, fifth, and sixth places, respectively.
Uganda and Nigeria join Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya to complete the six-team lineup for the Africa regional final, the next step in qualifying for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Marabou News Agency
Editor: George Mutero
