Nigeria’s Yellow Greens Cricket team lost to Zimbabwe by 10 wickets at Achimota on Wednesday March 20, 2024, in a game that exposed Isaac Danladi’s vital role in Nigerian squad.
Zimbabwe’s Trevor Gwandu’s fierce bowling injured Danladi in the upper body and cause his unexpected retirement for medical attention. Danladi’s bravery already gave Nigeria 15 runs off 9 balls before his hurt. Nigeria scored a very poor total of 88 runs.
A new entrant in the team, Vincent Adewoye showed a great fighting spirit when he batted 19 runs off 15 balls. He was Nigeria’s player with the second best strike rate after injured Danladi.
Danladi was also missed in the second inning when Nigerias bowlers could not take any wicket from 2nd ranked Zimbabwe cricket team in Africa.
Rodney Mupfudza (39 runs) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (47 runs) challenged Nigeria’s batting department when they both batted 91 runs not out to win by 10 wickets. The result great reduced Nigeria’s qualification chances as Namibia qualified for the next stage with same point with Nigeria but superior Net Runs Rate, (NRR).
The Nigerian team captain, Sylvester Okpe regretted Isaac Danladi’s injury as a source of worry and distractions in the game.
“I feel we didn’t give enough runs considering the incident that happened earlier in today’s game. Our guy got injured and was taken to the hospital.
“The score board fell and all created a distraction. But despite all, our guys have been exceptional but we now believe we can do more.”
A Nigerian fan, who plead anonymity appreciated the team’s effort but regretted introduction of bowlers who cannot bat well in T20 cricket.
Technically T20 cricket thrive on having batters who can also take wicket as bowlers and fielders. Also Nigerian team has need for more competitions to sharpen Yellow Greens batting discipline.
