Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Highlights | 7 All out - Lowest total in T20 cricket

Nigeria etched its name into cricketing history with a dominant 264-run victory over Ivory Coast in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group C. The match, played at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos, saw Nigeria’s all-round brilliance against a struggling Ivory Coast side, producing one of the most one-sided results in T20I history.

7 All Out!????

In an ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa sub regional qualifier, Nigeria bundled out Ivory Coast for the lowest Men's T20I total ever! ???? pic.twitter.com/vblBXqG9W1

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 26, 2024

Nigeria’s Batting Brilliance: Salau and Okpe Shine

Winning the toss, Nigeria opted to bat and unleashed a batting masterclass, piling up a record 271 for 4 in 20 overs.

Selim Salau’s Explosive Century: Opener Selim Salau led the charge with a blistering 112 off 53 balls. Salau’s knock, which included 13 boundaries and two towering sixes, was a mixture of calculated aggression and precision. His decision to retire out after crossing the century mark underscored a tactical mindset, allowing others to capitalize on his foundation.

Isaac Okpe’s Fiery Finish: Middle-order batter Isaac Okpe turned the final overs into a spectacle, smashing an unbeaten 65 off just 23 balls. His innings featured six massive sixes and three boundaries, boosting Nigeria to its highest-ever T20I total.

Key Contributions: Sulaimon Runsewe anchored the innings with a measured 50 runs, ensuring Nigeria maintained momentum throughout their innings.

This extraordinary total set a daunting target, placing immense pressure on Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast Collapses to Record-Low Total

The Ivory Coast batting lineup crumbled under Nigeria's relentless bowling attack, collapsing for a mere 7 runs in 7.3 overs, the lowest team total in men’s T20I history.

Record-Breaking Low: This score surpassed the previous record of 10 runs, jointly held by Mongolia (against Singapore in 2024) and the Isle of Man (against Spain in 2023).

Top Scorers: Ivory Coast’s innings was a struggle from the outset, with opener Ouattara Mohamed contributing 4 runs—the highest individual score of the innings. The other three runs came from singles by Mimi Alex, Maiga Ibrahim, and Dje Claude.

Staggering Statistics: Six Ivory Coast batsmen failed to score, and the team didn’t hit a single boundary during the innings.

Nigeria’s Bowlers Deliver a Masterclass

Nigeria’s bowling attack was both precise and ruthless:

Isaac Danladi and Prosper Useni: Both bowlers claimed three wickets apiece, dismantling Ivory Coast’s top and middle order.

Peter Aho and Sylvester Okpe: Aho bagged two wickets, while Okpe took one, ensuring no Ivory Coast batter could settle at the crease.

The disciplined performance by Nigeria’s bowlers not only restricted runs but also applied unrelenting pressure that led to frequent dismissals.

Historical and Statistical Significance

This match has set multiple records in T20I history:

Largest Victory Margin: The 264-run victory is one of the largest in T20I history, standing alongside Zimbabwe’s 290-run win over Gambia and Nepal’s 273-run triumph over Mongolia.

Lowest Team Total: Ivory Coast’s total of 7 runs redefines the lowest point in T20I batting records.

Reflection on Emerging Cricket Nations

The encounter highlights both the rapid progress of Nigeria in international cricket and the developmental challenges faced by new ICC associate members like Ivory Coast, who joined in 2022. While the result emphasizes the disparity in skill levels, it also showcases the potential for growth within emerging cricket nations.

Nigeria’s record-breaking win over Ivory Coast serves as a defining moment in T20I cricket. It reflects Nigeria’s growing stature in the sport and underscores the need for continued support to developing teams. With such performances, Nigeria is positioning itself as a strong contender in the international cricketing arena, while Ivory Coast will look to regroup and learn from this historic encounter.