Nigeria’s men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, launched their ICC T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign with a commanding 118-run victory over St Helena at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday.
Batting first, the Yellow Greens set an imposing target of 185/2 in 20 overs, driven by stellar performances from their top-order batters. In response, St Helena struggled against Nigeria’s formidable bowling attack and were bowled out for just 67 runs in 19.1 overs.
The emphatic win underscores Nigeria’s status as tournament favorites, with the team ranked 36th in the ICC T20 rankings—the highest in the qualifiers. Head coach Steve Tikolo, who had set an ambitious tone ahead of the tournament, reiterated the team’s focus on not just qualifying but dominating.
“Our goal is not just to qualify but to win the tournament and prepare for the next round as champions,” Tikolo emphasized.
Other Results from Day 1
- Botswana vs. Eswatini: Botswana secured a 45-run victory, scoring 172/4 before dismissing Eswatini for 124 in 18.4 overs.
- Sierra Leone vs. Ivory Coast: Sierra Leone delivered a crushing 168-run win, posting 188/2 and skittling the Ivorians for a mere 20 runs in 10.4 overs.
The Yellow Greens will face Eswatini on Monday, followed by games against Sierra Leone on Tuesday and Botswana on Wednesday. These encounters promise to be competitive as teams vie for the top two spots, which will advance to the final phase.
The final phase of the qualifiers will determine the two African teams that will join South Africa at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. With strong home support and an impressive start, the Yellow Greens have demonstrated their intent to dominate the tournament and secure their place on cricket’s biggest stage.
