Danladi blitz powers YellowGreens to Zambia victory

Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, continued their solid campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Zambia on Wednesday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Oval 1 in Abuja.

Having been put in to bowl after Zambia won the toss, the hosts delivered a disciplined performance with the ball, restricting the visitors to 142 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Ismail Kara offered the only major resistance for Zambia, blazoning an enterprising 82 off 44 deliveries. However, slow left-arm spinner Abdullahi Ismail led the Nigerian attack with immense control, claiming figures of 3 for 9 in his four-over spell to stymie any late surge.

In response, Nigeria made light work of the 143-run target, reaching 146 for 1 in just 14.5 overs.

Dynamic opener Isaac Danladi was the standout performer, earning Player of the Match honours for a breathtaking unbeaten 90 off 47 balls, an innings laced with three boundaries and nine maximums.

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Danladi laid a formidable foundation alongside Selim Salau, who compiled a measured 50 off 39 balls before being run out in the 14th over with the hosts on the brink of victory. Ali Rahmon joined Danladi to comfortably seal the win with 31 deliveries remaining.

The decisive win bolsters Nigeria’s prospects of advancing to the regional qualification finals as they prepare to take on Mozambique in their next fixture on Friday.

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