Cricket: Nigeria’s World Cup hopes dim after loss to Zimbabwe

Nigeria’s Yellow-Greens were defeated by Zimbabwe at the ongoing International Cricket Council’s men T20 Africa World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. 

The Nigerians were beaten by six wickets by the Zimbabweans at the United Ground in Namibia.

With one match to spare, the Nigerian team now seats fifth on the log in an event that would hand World Cup tickets to the top two African nations.

Steve Tikolo, head coach of Nigeria, had introduced two new players — Joshua Asia and Akhere Isesele — into the team line-up against Zimbabwe, with both adding some bite to the attack.

Right-arm medium Isesele posted 10 runs off 11 balls before he was caught by Zimbabwean Carl Mumba. It was not the score that stood him out but the boldness with which he grounded out the runs amidst the tight fielding and bowling sequence of the opponents.

Asia also stepped up when he took the wicket of Sikandar Raza, spinning cleverly off Raza’s foot and making him loop sloppily to the waiting hands of Ademola Onikoyi for an important wicket fall that prolonged the 111 target the opposing team had targeted.

Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said that being in the top seven countries in Africa represented a milestone for the Yellow-Greens as the team’s performance has been above board in the ongoing qualifier.

“We have announced our arrival as a cricket-playing nation. We competed squarely against Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe and lost respectfully. We beat Tanzania, who were ahead of us, and we were in firm control in the game against Rwanda before rain disrupted it, causing us to share points,” Akpata said.

“Our young team is beginning to get global recognition. The displays by Prosper Useni, Ridwan Abdulkareem and the commanding show of Joshua Asia during our game against Zimbabwe are a testimony of our progress, and I believe this would help our goal towards winning the World Cup ticket in 2026.”

With only pride left to play for, Nigeria will finish off the event in fifth place despite a Namibian encounter left on the cards.

The Namibians have played unblemished, winning five out of five, and are the only country assured of a World Cup ticked so far, leaving Zimbabwe and Uganda till the last game before the second qualifier is determined.